Signs a Career as a Procurement Manager is for You

A Procurement Manager is responsible for sourcing and purchasing the best quality goods and/or services for an organisation at the most competitive price. You will source suppliers, negotiate contracts and manage sustainability, risk and ethical issues. Here are the signs you’d make a good procurement manager:

You have…

• excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• strong negotiation skills
• Strong numeracy and commercial and financial understanding
• Good organisational skills
• teamworking skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to take initiative and make decisions 
• time management skills and the ability to prioritise to meet deadlines and targets 
• the ability to think strategically to solve problems.

You want to…

• forecast levels of demand for services and products
• research the best products and suppliers in terms of best value, delivery schedules and quality
• run tenders, evaluate bids and make recommendations, based on commercial and technical factors
• negotiate contracts
• build and maintain relationships with new and existing suppliers
• manage a team of procurement staff
• liaise between suppliers, manufacturers, supply chain, sales, and customers
• ensure the security and sustainability of sources of essential products and services
• develop and implement a procurement strategy
• analyse data and produce reports on spending

You don’t mind…

• occasionally working outside of office hours to meet deadlines for short-term projects
• pressured working to meet deadlines and budgets.

Getting started

Whilst this career is open to all graduates, a degree in one of the following subjects may be advantageous:

• business studies/business management
• business purchasing and supply
• economics
• engineering
• marketing
• operations management
• purchasing and logistics
• retail management
• supply chain management.

In order to secure a place on a company graduate scheme, you will typically need a 2:1 degree. Some companies may also require you to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Alternative routes into this career include beginning in an entry level position such as an administrative assistant, purchasing assistant or assistant buyer and then gaining promotions with experience and qualifications. It is also possible to complete a procurement apprenticeship, combining work with study.

Search all procurement managing jobs on our vacancies page.

Article source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/procurement-manager