Level 6 Diploma in Quality Assurance - Procurement

Unit 1: Strategic Procurement and Quality Governance

1. Procurement Strategy and Quality Objectives : Examines how procurement strategy can be aligned with organisational objectives, quality policy, customer requirements, operational priorities and long-term business performance.

2. Procurement Governance Frameworks : Develops understanding of governance structures, delegated authority, procurement controls, accountability, segregation of duties and decision-making responsibilities.

3. Quality Assurance in Procurement : Establishes the principles of embedding quality requirements throughout procurement planning, sourcing, contracting, purchasing and supplier-management activities.

4. Procurement Policy and Control Systems : Evaluates procurement policies, procedures, approval mechanisms, documentation controls and governance arrangements used to maintain consistent and auditable procurement practices.

5. Strategic Supplier Relationships : Examines approaches to developing controlled, transparent and performance-focused relationships with strategically important suppliers.

Unit 2: Supplier Qualification and Quality Evaluation

1. Supplier Prequalification : Develops methods for assessing supplier capability, capacity, technical resources, certifications, financial stability and ability to satisfy specified requirements.

2. Supplier Quality Assessment : Examines structured evaluation of supplier quality systems, processes, controls, records, personnel competence and operational capability.

3. Supplier Selection Criteria : Develops risk-based criteria for comparing suppliers against quality, technical, commercial, delivery, compliance and sustainability requirements.

4. Supplier Approval and Onboarding : Covers formal approval processes, quality agreements, documentation requirements, initial verification and controlled introduction of new suppliers.

5. Supplier Reassessment : Examines periodic reassessment based on supplier performance, changing risks, incidents, quality trends, business requirements and changes to products or services.

Unit 3: Procurement Quality Planning and Specification Control

1. Procurement Requirements and Specifications : Develops the ability to translate organisational, customer, technical and regulatory requirements into clear procurement specifications.

2. Quality Criteria and Acceptance Requirements : Examines measurable quality characteristics, inspection requirements, acceptance criteria, testing arrangements and verification methods.

3. Supplier Quality Agreements : Develops approaches for establishing responsibilities, quality expectations, documentation, notification requirements, inspection arrangements and escalation mechanisms between purchasers and suppliers.

4. Contract Quality Requirements : Examines how quality, conformity, traceability, testing, inspection, change control and corrective-action requirements can be incorporated into procurement contracts.

5. Specification Change Control : Evaluates methods for managing changes to specifications, materials, suppliers, processes and contractual requirements while controlling quality risks.

Unit 4: Supplier Quality Assurance and Performance Management

1. Supplier Performance Measurement : Develops supplier performance indicators covering quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, compliance and service reliability.

2. Supplier Quality Monitoring : Examines systematic monitoring of supplier outputs, inspection results, complaints, defects, deviations, corrective actions and quality trends.

3. Supplier Scorecards and Reviews : Develops structured supplier scorecards and management-review methods for identifying performance strengths, weaknesses and improvement priorities.

4. Supplier Development Programmes : Examines approaches for improving supplier capability through technical support, improvement planning, training, process development and collaborative problem-solving.

5. Escalation and Supplier Intervention : Evaluates escalation procedures for repeated failures, significant quality risks, poor responsiveness and deteriorating supplier performance.

Unit 5: Procurement Risk and Supply Chain Quality

1. Procurement Risk Identification : Develops methods for identifying quality, operational, commercial, compliance, continuity and supplier-related risks throughout the procurement process.

2. Risk Assessment and Prioritisation : Applies structured approaches for evaluating likelihood, consequence, exposure and priority when determining procurement-quality controls.

3. Critical Supplier Risk Management : Examines enhanced controls for suppliers whose products, processes or services have significant consequences for product conformity, customer satisfaction or business continuity.

4. Supply Chain Disruption and Continuity : Develops strategies for managing supplier failure, shortages, logistics disruption, geopolitical exposure, capacity constraints and other threats to supply continuity.

5. Risk-Based Procurement Controls : Examines how the level of supplier control, inspection, testing, audit and monitoring can be proportionate to identified procurement and quality risks.

Unit 6: Procurement Auditing and Compliance

1. Procurement Audit Planning : Develops systematic approaches to planning procurement audits based on organisational objectives, process risks, supplier performance and previous audit findings.

2. Supplier and External Provider Audits : Examines methods for assessing suppliers and externally provided processes against defined technical, quality and contractual requirements.

3. Audit Evidence and Findings : Develops competence in collecting objective evidence, evaluating conformity and documenting clear, traceable and evidence-based findings.

4. Procurement Compliance Evaluation : Examines compliance with organisational procedures, contractual obligations, quality requirements, applicable legislation and relevant management-system controls.

5. Audit Reporting and Follow-Up : Develops professional approaches to audit reporting, corrective-action requests, follow-up activities and verification of implemented improvements.

ISO's procurement-auditing guidance highlights approved external-provider lists, defined purchasing criteria, supplier performance monitoring and verification of specified requirements as important audit considerations. 

Unit 7: Non-Conformity, Corrective Action and Continuous Improvement

1. Procurement Non-Conformity Management : Develops systematic methods for identifying, recording, evaluating and controlling procurement-related non-conformities.

2. Root Cause Analysis : Applies structured problem-solving techniques to identify underlying causes of supplier defects, delivery failures, specification deviations and recurring procurement problems.

3. Corrective Action Planning : Examines the development of proportionate corrective actions with defined responsibilities, timescales, evidence requirements and effectiveness criteria.

4. Corrective Action Verification : Develops methods for verifying that corrective actions have been implemented and have effectively addressed the underlying problem.

5. Continuous Improvement in Procurement : Examines the use of performance data, audit results, supplier feedback and trend analysis to improve procurement quality and organisational performance.

Unit 8: Sustainable, Ethical and Responsible Procurement

1. Sustainable Procurement Principles : Examines the integration of environmental, social and economic considerations into procurement policies, strategies and supplier-management decisions.

2. Ethical Supplier Management : Develops awareness of ethical behaviour, transparency, human rights, responsible sourcing and supplier conduct within procurement decisions.

3. Environmental Procurement Criteria : Examines environmental considerations such as resource efficiency, emissions, waste, lifecycle impacts and environmentally responsible supplier practices.

4. Social Responsibility in Supply Chains : Evaluates social and labour considerations relevant to responsible sourcing and supplier relationships.

5. Sustainable Supplier Evaluation : Develops methods for incorporating sustainability criteria into supplier selection, assessment, monitoring and improvement activities.

ISO 20400 provides guidance for integrating sustainability into procurement and specifically addresses accountability, transparency, human rights, ethical behaviour, risk management and priority setting. ISO

Unit 9: Advanced Procurement Quality Management Project

1. Procurement Quality Diagnostic : Requires learners to evaluate an existing or simulated procurement system and identify significant quality, supplier and process-management issues.

2. Supplier Risk and Performance Analysis : Requires analysis of supplier performance information, quality data, risk exposure and procurement-control effectiveness.

3. Procurement Improvement Strategy : Develops an evidence-based improvement strategy addressing supplier controls, quality assurance, risk management, compliance and performance improvement.

4. Quality Assurance Implementation Plan : Requires learners to design a practical implementation plan with responsibilities, resources, performance measures, milestones and monitoring arrangements.

5. Project Evaluation and Professional Presentation : Requires learners to defend their recommendations using evidence, professional judgement and appropriate quality-assurance and procurement principles.

Learners completing the qualification should be able to:

• Develop procurement strategies incorporating quality objectives.

• Establish robust supplier qualification and approval systems.

• Define measurable procurement quality requirements.

• Evaluate and manage supplier performance.

• Apply risk-based supplier controls.

• Conduct procurement and supplier audits.

• Analyse supplier non-conformities and root causes.

• Implement corrective and continual-improvement programmes.

• Integrate sustainability and ethical considerations into procurement.

• Develop strategic procurement-quality improvement plans.

• Apply quality assurance principles to externally provided products, processes and services.

This qualification is designed for:

• Procurement Managers and Senior Procurement Officers

• Quality Assurance and Quality Control Managers

• Supplier Quality Engineers and Supplier Quality Managers

• Supply Chain Managers

• Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing Professionals

• Vendor and Supplier Relationship Managers

• Quality Auditors

• Contract and Commercial Professionals

• Procurement Compliance Professionals

• Professionals responsible for supplier qualification and performance

• Experienced managers progressing toward senior procurement-quality responsibilities

Assessment Format: Written assignments, procurement case studies, supplier evaluation exercises, procurement audit exercises, corrective-action assessments, professional portfolio and an integrated final procurement quality-management project.

Total Questions: No single fixed question paper; assessment is distributed across written, practical, analytical and project-based tasks.

Passing Score: 50% minimum overall, with all mandatory assessment components successfully completed.

Duration: Programme-based assessment completed throughout the qualification, with the final project assessed during the concluding stage.

Certification: Successful learners receive the HiQual UK Level 6 Diploma in Quality Assurance - Procurement.

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the HiQual UK Level 6 Diploma in Quality Assurance - Procurement may progress to:

• Level 7 qualifications in Strategic Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Operations Management or Business Management.

• Advanced professional study in supplier quality, strategic sourcing, contract management, procurement risk and supply-chain governance.

• Professional development toward senior roles such as Procurement Manager, Supplier Quality Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Quality Assurance Manager and Supply Chain Quality Manager.

• Higher-level specialist programmes in quality auditing, supplier development, sustainable procurement and organisational improvement.

• Continuing professional development and advanced academic study leading toward senior procurement, quality and supply-chain leadership.