procurement specialist

What does a procurement specialist do? Being a procurement specialist means you're part of the operations team at your workplace. Some procurement specialists report to a manager while others work independently or oversee other buyers. The day-to-day life of a procurement specialist varies quite a lot. Depending on your job, you'll spend your time doing one or more of the following activities.

• managing product catalogs

This job task involves keeping track of products throughout the business. You make note of which products are needed and which products people already have. It might be your job to regularly take inventory or draft reports to see how much product you need to order. You also end up in a lot of meetings talking about product needs from other departments.

• negotiating purchase agreements

Your job includes the task of getting the best purchase price possible. You'll be authorized to suggest different price points and try to find profitable agreements. For example, you could end up agreeing to buy pens in bulk because you can get a much better deal overall. This often includes a lot of networking and leveraging business contacts to make desirable deals.

• suggesting product usage policies

Some purchasing specialists get involved in workplace policy. You might do things like suggest a change to rules about how often employees reuse tools. This task requires you to have a close knowledge of how the workplace runs so you can find ways to improve it. It may be worthwhile to connect with other employees at your job site to get a better understanding of daily operations and what items you need to procure.

• coordinating product delivery

It's also your responsibility to handle the process of getting supplies to the business. You'll need to do everything from schedule deliveries to authorize payment. This task also involves handling details like monitoring supplier performance and tracking contract terms.

If you get bored when stuck in the same cubicle all day, being a procurement specialist is probably the right job for you. This job requires you to be comfortable moving from location to location. Sometimes you'll be analyzing spreadsheets at a desk, while other days, you'll be walking across the building to chat with coworkers. Though you have the option of doing some tasks remotely, you might travel quite a bit. Some procurement specialists fly all over the world to meet with various suppliers.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include materials handlers, accountants, administrative assistants, and office managers. You'll also be working in close proximity to shipping and receiving clerks. Sometimes you also encounter other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, production supervisors, accounts payable clerks, or marketing managers.

Being a procurement specialist is usually a full-time job. The majority of procurement specialists work standard shifts from around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. However, due to the responsibilities of your job, you typically need to be working whenever your industry contacts are at work. If you're purchasing items from people in different time zones, this leads to some unconventional hours. Even if you don't work all weekend or through the night, you can expect the occasional meeting on a weekend, evening, or early morning. The procurement specialist schedule works well for people who enjoy a flexible work week. Though there are periods of downtime, you also end up working overtime when several orders happen at once.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a slight decline in purchasing manager jobs in the next decade. However, this doesn't mean the field has no chances for growth. There will still be about 47,400 job openings each year. Though automation has the potential to take over basic tasks like tracking inventory, there is growth in specialist fields. If you specialize in things like logistics or consumer goods, there are more job openings to choose from. There are a lot of opportunities for advancement or lateral motion within the workplace. Some procurement specialists go on to become sourcing managers or materials managers. You also have the option of aiming for a position like supply chain director or operations manager.

Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• being paid weekly
• flexibility
• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a procurement specialist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

Though industry certifications aren't a necessity, they make you stand out. Certifications show you've taken special classes on purchasing and fully understand the concepts. Common certifications in the field include:

• Certified Procurement Professional (CPP)
• Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM)
• Certified Purchasing Consultant (CPC)
• Senior Professional in Supply Chain Management (SPSM)
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)

To excel as a procurement specialist, you need a broad range of skills.

• communication skills

A lot of your job involves talking to others, so you need strong communication skills. This includes the ability to perform the following tasks.

            ○ learning your coworkers' needs

            ○ communicating professionally with suppliers

            ○ negotiating effectively about prices

            ○ creating clear reports for your managers

• analytical skills

Analytical skills are one of the most important traits you need to have. Your job involves acquiring a lot of information and then thinking logically about it. Your employer will rely on you to carefully consider purchasing orders, weigh the pros and cons of various suppliers, and pick the best options.

• computer skills

You usually don't need specialized technical knowledge. However, you do have to be comfortable working with computers. You need to understand common software like Excel and Word, and your employers might require you to learn specific industry software.

• organizational skills

Finally, there are a lot of different organizational and office skills you need. These will help you stay on track while managing many different tasks.

            ○ attention to detail

            ○ multitasking

            ○ time management

            ○ data sorting

            ○ meeting deadlines

Buyers focus specifically on buying products their companies can resell to consumers. While some procurement specialists do this, their focus is not on marketing to consumers. Instead, their priority is products that make their organization run effectively.

This is a complex job that works well for people who like a challenge. If you like the excitement of handling many important tasks and the satisfaction of keeping a business running, this might be the job for you.

If you're interested in advancement, aim for the role of chief procurement officer. This managerial role involves handling multiple procurement specialists for a big company.

The seven stages of procurement are a popular technique for handling product ordering. Many businesses use this strategy, so it's essential to understand it. The steps are recognizing needs, reviewing requisitions, soliciting orders, evaluating contracts, managing orders, approving invoices, and keeping records.

If you want a career field with a lot of growth, the best option is consumer goods or tech. Both of these fields have expanding procurement needs. Other high-paying industries with a lot of jobs include food and beverage, medical devices, pharmacology, and consulting.

Applying for a procurement specialist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our procurement specialist jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!