A procurement professional is someone who has completed post-secondary procurement training, holds a professional designation from a certification association, and works in the procurement services industry. To become a procurement professional, you’ll need to complete a four- to six-year program that includes both education and experience. Procurement, also known as purchasing, is a term that refers to the process of determining the best price and service for a specific good or service.
People who are naturally outgoing and have a knack for numbers have the most success and fulfillment in this field. It’s worth noting that people who have a hard time dealing with conflict may find the negotiation aspect of this job challenging. There are, however, a variety of training programs available to assist procurement professionals in overcoming this problem.
To work as a procurement professional, you must first earn a degree or diploma from an accredited post-secondary educational institution. This is critical in any field, including business, accounting, and economics. Some colleges offer procurement-specific training, but these are usually post-graduate certificate programs. Candidates must have completed a university degree or a college diploma to be considered for admission.
Obtaining a professional designation is the next step in becoming a procurement professional. The American Purchasing Society is the country’s primary procurement certification body. A professional certification is beneficial to job seekers because it gives potential employers some assurance about the candidate’s training, experience, and knowledge.
A minimum of three years of procurement experience is required for the Certified Procurement Professional (CPP), as well as a college diploma in business or a related field. Additional training is required and can be obtained through the procurement association. To obtain the professional designation of CPP, each candidate must pass a final examination.
Contact law is extremely important and serves as the foundation for almost all procurement processes. This aspect of procurement is covered in many of the procurement association’s courses. Examine the course details to see if any of the courses are similar to ones you’ve already completed. Many organizations will award transfer credits for similar course work if it was completed at an accredited institution.
Processing purchase requisitions, reviewing quotations, managing a bidding process, and other related activities are all examples of procurement work. Despite the fact that negotiations are an important part of a procurement professional’s job, few people can gain experience using this skill without certification or education. This work experience is critical in your development as a procurement professional.