Procurement officers are people who enjoy working independently, are detail-oriented, and are comfortable with numbers. Although procurement officers are expected to have excellent meeting presentation skills, good communication skills are the most important skill in this role. Detail-oriented thinking, discipline, and focus are all necessary.
This position necessitates post-secondary education and related work experience. A procurement officer is in charge of a company’s or organization’s purchasing process, and he or she spends the majority of the day dealing with internal clients and vendors. Purchase requisitions from internal clients specify the goods or services they require. The officer contacts and negotiates with suppliers in order to obtain the best price, quality, and service possible.
Accounting, bookkeeping, buyer, sales representative, or purchasing clerk are all examples of related work experience. All of these positions provide valuable hands-on experience with computers and people. Obtaining a position as a buyer, which entails working in the procurement department and processing orders as needed, is the typical path to becoming a procurement officer.
Many companies in the United States advise anyone interested in this field to obtain the Certified Procurement Professional® (CPP®) designation. This designation is awarded by the National Purchasing Institute® (NPI®) after completion of a combination of education, experience, and written examinations. Candidates with and without post-secondary education are both eligible for the program, though those with a degree will have fewer courses to complete.
One of the most important considerations when applying for a procurement officer position is your area of expertise. Typically, procurement departments are divided into two categories: commodities and client groups. You must have some background knowledge or training in this field to qualify for a position as a commodity procurement officer. If the department is organized by client group, a thorough understanding of the department’s pressures and responsibilities is critical to landing the job.
It’s a good idea to work on your interpersonal and communication skills as part of the process. Some people take business communication classes in school, while others incorporate these skills into their hobbies, such as joining a drama club or a public speaking group. If you want to be a procurement officer, you’ll need a lifelong commitment to learning, as this field is expected to undergo significant technological change.