The Definitive Guide: How To Become A Procurement Manager
Index
Want to get paid to buy? Sounds like any shopaholics dream - of course, this job role has a lot more to it than ordering a few supplies online.
You will have to put together strategic plans and lead a team of people in making important purchasing decisions for the firm, ensuring that they save as much money as possible whilst always keeping on top of the business needs.
What is a Procurement Manager?
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Job Description
You will be leading the procurement team in getting goods and services at the best value. The goods and services that you will be obtaining will vary in different organisations – you could be buying raw material to make products, purchasing marketing services for the company or sourcing a recruitment company. You will have to assess the needs of the company in order to make the right purchase decisions. You will need to ensure the company is taking a strategic approach when buying goods and services.
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Hours of Work
If you like routine, then this will be right for you. In this role, you will be working typical office hours, around 40 hours per week depending on the company and your workload. You won’t usually be expected to work weekends or evenings and you will most likely have public holidays off. Sounds good doesn’t it?
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Main Responsibilities
So, what will your main responsibilities be as a Procurement Manager?
Duties typically include:- Obtaining the best value goods and services
- Developing relationships with suppliers
- Managing stock
- Managing contracts
- Dealing with suppliers both national and international
- Managing online systems
- Understanding trading regulations
- Tracking and reporting on savings targets
- Minimising revenue and capital costs
Key Procurement Manager qualifications
Do you have the qualifications to get the job?
Most employers prefer candidates that have a degree in a related area such as Business, Economics or Maths.
If you don’t have a degree, don’t worry as you can take a different path with some of the qualifications below:
- CIPS (The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) Advanced certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or professional diploma
- NVQ in Supply Chain Management
- HND in Procurement
Vital Procurement Manager Skills
Want to know if you’ve got what it takes? These are the skills you’ll need for the role
- Negotiation skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Managing budgets
- Leadership
- Planning and organisational skills
- Forecasting
- Ability to assess the needs of a business
What is a Procurement Manager’s salary?
Now we’re getting down to the nitty gritty…
Your salary will depend on the size of the company you work for, the size of the team you are managing, the location you are working in, and the amount of experience and qualifications you have. The average salary is £45,000, but can go right up to £75,000.
How to become a Procurement Manager
Now that you know what a Procurement Manager does, how do you become one?
AProcurement managers come from a range of backgrounds; however if you have experience in buying in a previous job then this will help with your application. It’s also useful to have some management experience, as you will be leading a team of buyers.
If you are currently a buyer in a company and have your sights set on a higher position, you can work your way up by taking courses and by proving that you are great at your job by putting the hard work in.
How to develop your Procurement Manager career
You are already a manager, so what’s next?
You could think about challenging yourself by managing a larger team, in a much larger company or a different sector. Your job role will vary wherever you work so it could be a great experience to see how other companies work.
Career Opportunities
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