Individuals interested in becoming purchasing analysts should have strong managerial skills, as this position entails purchasing all of an organization’s equipment, materials, and services. In order to perform the duties of the position, a purchasing analyst will typically need a bachelor’s degree and extensive knowledge of the latest business, management, and strategic planning techniques. Analysts must also develop good purchasing relationships by working directly with the finance departments of multiple companies. Anyone aspiring to be a purchasing analyst must have excellent negotiating skills, as he or she will be directly responsible for negotiating prices with potential vendors.
In order to be considered for most open positions, purchasing analysts must have a formal education. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, business management, or accounting is usually required of qualified candidates. In order to compete for jobs in the marketplace, candidates will need some level of purchasing experience in addition to formal education.
A person seeking valid work experience to become a purchasing analyst should start by applying for an internship in a company’s purchasing department. Many companies that require purchasing analysts offer training programs to students interested in pursuing a procurement career. Internships often lead to full-time employment with the hiring company, or at the very least provide candidates with the necessary work experience to obtain a full-time position with another company in need of purchasing analysts.
Those interested in becoming a purchasing analyst can look for analyst positions on the Internet and in local classified ads if an internship program is not an option. Job competition can be fierce, and a candidate with little to no experience may find it difficult to land a position as a purchasing analyst in this manner. In this case, obtaining a position as an entry-level bookkeeper to gain relevant experience and attempting to obtain an analyst position at a later date may be beneficial.
Anyone interested in becoming a purchasing analyst, regardless of experience, should join various trade organizations to network with other industry professionals. The National Association of Purchasing and Payables (NAPP) is one of many organizations in the United States that provide members with career training and a place to network with other professionals to find new job opportunities. There are also numerous industry conferences held on a regular basis that provide aspiring purchasing analysts with a platform to gain an advantage in the procurement industry.