Purchasing Association of Slovenia

Dear purchasers and friends of purchasing

In a global world where we all strive for excellence, the procurement as well as our association have to do the excellent work to make a significant contribution to the total result of each company or sector in which procurement works. Procurement must be directly integrated into business strategy. With improvements and cost cutting procurement has a direct impact on the business result and the company's reputation as well as the public sector.

The role of procurement in each company or industry is supplying the "benefits" to the business in which the company or industry is performing (no matter whether we are talking about raw materials, products or services).

Effective procurement berings the following benefits to the company or sector:
  • Lower costs - a higher value for the same money when compared to the competition
  • Security of supply - vital raw materials and other components must continually flow into the company
  • Better risk control - constantly searching for new sources and suppliers, so as not to jeopardize the reputation of the company and does not come into conflict with social and environmental responsibility of the company and is not contrary to law
  • Power - the ability to negotiate better conditions than the competition
  • Improving the quality - to establish such relationships with suppliers, which will provide better products and services and will reduce the time of delivery to customers
  • An efficient process - using electronics and the latest technological tools to improve and shorten the procurement process and associated processes

A renewed website of our professional association – Purchasing Association of Slovenia has been launched. With this renovation, we wanted to improve our communication with you and make the site more friendly to use. We want the modern Internet tools to allow you better access to information on our site as well as faster communication with us.

Marina Lindič
The President of Purchasing Association of Slovenia

About Purchasing Association of Slovenia (ZNS)

ZNS, the Slovenian Purchasing association, was founded in 2003. Since then Purchasing Association of Slovenia has grown to become the leading Purchasing organization in Slovenia. With over 350 members, working in the private and public sector, Purchasing Association of Slovenia is the principal authority for matters concerning Purchasing in Slovenia. Purchasing Association of Slovenia is a platform where procurement and purchasing professionals can meet, exchange experiences and knowledge and take part in various activities. Purchasing Association of Slovenia members receive E-zine, a monthly magazine for procurement professionals, and discounts on professional education, seminars and conferences. Furthermore, Purchasing Association of Slovenia members have access to the online database.

Purchasing Association of Slovenia is a non-profit, non-political, independent oriented National Organization, based in Slovenia that aims to develop a community of procurement, finance, manufacturing, IT, and executives a common venue to share ideas and best practices to address the needs and concerns of supply management professionals in Slovenia.

As a country procurement and sourcing association, it networks senior level executives in charge of managing spend in the company through procurement and sourcing strategies that impacts their corporate bottom line.

Purchasing Association of Slovenia is a unique network that leverages across country of Slovenia and tackles strategic procurement and supply management issues. It provides opportunities for the promotion of the profession and the expansion of professional skills and knowledge.

Dare to lead in Procurement and Supply Management!

The procurement and supply management profession is fast transforming from a mere back-end service to a significant force in the global business arena.

Purchasing Association of Slovenia, Slovenian’s leading procurement and sourcing organization, is at the forefront of creation the values and standards in private and public sector. 

Purchasing Association of Slovenia facilitates the development and distribution of knowledge to elevate and advance the procurement profession, thus favorably impacting the standard of living of citizens through improved business practices.
The term procurement is taken to embrace purchasing, materials management, purchasing logistics, supply chain management and strategic sourcing. 

Vision

Purchasing Association of Slovenia aims to professionalize the procurement function and bring procurement and supply management professionals into the boardroom of every organization in Slovenia. As it grows, Purchasing Association of Slovenia will be the number one source of supply management information and knowledge that will address supply management-related issues.

Mission

Purchasing Association of Slovenia exists to lead and serve the supply management profession in Slovenia through its standards of excellence, research, promotional activities and education. To increase the ability of Purchasing Association of Slovenia network of member organizations to be more effective in serving our members and the profession.

Purchasing Association of Slovenia is recognized as the national association that facilitates the development and sharing of the practice of the purchasing and supply management profession, wherever it is practiced, through our network of members.

Purchasing Association of Slovenia is an association that provides opportunities for the promotion of the profession and the expansion of professional skills and knowledge.

Principles and Standards of Ethical Supply Management Conduct

  • Integrity in Your Decisions and Actions
  • Value for Your Employer
  • Loyalty to Your Profession
From these principles are derived the Purchasing Association of Slovenia standards of supply management conduct:

Standards

  1. Perceived Impropriety. Prevent the intent and appearance of unethical or compromising conduct in relationships, actions and communications.
  2. Conflicts of Interest. Ensure that any personal, business or other activity does not conflict with the lawful interests of your employer.
  3. Issues of Influence. Avoid behaviors or actions that may negatively influence, or appear to influence, supply management decisions.
  4. Responsibilities to Your Employer. Uphold fiduciary and other responsibilities using reasonable care and granted authority to deliver value to your employer.
  5. Supplier and Customer Relationships. Promote positive supplier and customer relationships.
  6. Sustainability and Social Responsibility. Champion social responsibility and sustainability practices in supply management.
  7. Confidential and Proprietary Information. Protect confidential and proprietary information.
  8. Reciprocity. Avoid improper reciprocal agreements.
  9. Applicable Laws, Regulations and Trade Agreements. Know and obey the letter and spirit of laws, regulations and trade agreements applicable to supply management.
  10. Professional Competence. Develop skills, expand knowledge and conduct business that demonstrates competence and promotes the supply management profession.

Purchasing Association of Slovenia: Code of Ethics

Members shall not use their authority or office for personal gain and shall seek to uphold and enhance the standing of the purchasing and supply management profession by:

Guidance

In applying these precepts, members should follow the guidance set out below:
A. Maintaining an unimpeachable standard of integrity in all their business relationships both inside and outside the organizations in which they are employed;
B. Fostering the highest standards of professional competence amongst those for whom they are responsible;
C. Optimizing the use of resources for which they are responsible so as to provide the maximum benefit to their employers;
D. Complying with the letter and the spirit of: 
I. The laws of the country in which they practice;
II. The Federation's 'guidance' on professional practice as outlined below and as may be issued by the Federation from time to time; and
III. Contractual obligations.
E. Rejecting and denouncing any business practice that is improper; and
F. Enhancing the proficiency and stature of the profession by acquiring and maintaining current technical knowledge. 
A. Declaration of interest. Any personal interest which may impinge or might reasonably be deemed by others to impinge on a member's impartiality in any matter relevant to their duties should be declared to their employer.
B. Confidentiality and accuracy of information. The confidentiality of information received in the course of duty must be respected and should not be used for personal gain; information given in the course of duty should be true and fair and not designed to mislead.
C. Competition. While considering the advantages to the member's employer of maintaining a continuing relationship with a supplier, any arrangement which might, in the long term, prevent the effective operation of fair competition, should be avoided.
D. Business gift. To preserve the image and integrity of both the member and the employer, business gifts should be discouraged. Gifts, other than items of very small intrinsic value should not be accepted.
E. Hospitality. Moderate hospitality is an accepted courtesy of a business relationship. However, the recipients should not allow themselves to reach a position whereby they might be or might be deemed by others to have been influenced in making a business decision as a consequence of accepting such hospitality. The frequency and scale of hospitality accepted should not be significantly greater than a recipient's employer, through the recipient's expense account, would be likely to provide in return.
F. When in doubt of what is acceptable in terms of gifts and hospitality, the offer should be declined or advice sought from the member's superior.

Why Join Purchasing Association of Slovenia

It is offering membership to individuals and opened its doors to corporate membership and people from the academe and discounted membership for students and pensioners.

Membership to Purchasing Association of Slovenia is open to any individual interested in the procurement and supply management field. In principle and in practice, the Purchasing Association of Slovenia values and seeks diverse membership, volunteers for leadership, and staff. There are no barriers to full participation in the assocoation on the basis of ethnic background, gender, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. 

Purchasing Association of Slovenia values the efforts, knowledge and commitment of volunteers and structures the volunteer system to maintain continuity by encouraging participation in integrated activities to enhance value-added activities.

A not-for-profit association, Purchasing Association of Slovenia offers a range of educational products and programs. As a member of Purchasing Association of Slovenia you receive:
  • E-Zine, the monthly publication featuring the latest trends and information for the purchasing and supply management professional.
  • Access to the Members Only area of the Purchasing Association of Slovenia website which includes an extensive database of information, articles and other resources as well as the Online Career Center.
  • Purchasing Association of Slovenia Principles and Standards of Ethical Supply Management Conduct, which are one of the outstanding ethical statements in modern business.
  • Networking opportunities during Purchasing Association of Slovenia organized seminars and conferences, and other special events.
Discounts of up to 30% on Purchasing Association of Slovenia programmes, products, and a discount of 10% on Planet GV Annual Purchasing Conference and other programs about the purchasing.
 

GMP General Management Program with Purchasing Specialization with IEDC Bled and EIPM France:

Program & Schedule, Invitation and Application