The procurement, or purchasing, of technical goods and services for an industrial operation is overseen by a procurement engineer. The engineer is well-versed in the industry’s equipment, materials, and supplies, as well as the companies that sell them. A procurement engineer evaluates and negotiates purchase agreements with new and existing suppliers and subcontractors. The engineer also ensures that goods and services purchased are delivered on time.
Procurement engineering is a highly specialized field. This is a field in which only a few colleges offer degrees. Most procurement engineers have a background in mechanical, electrical, civil, or manufacturing engineering.
Because the engineer collaborates with other functions or departments within the organization, procurement engineering is considered a cross-functional job. They are internal clients of the engineer. External suppliers provide the goods and services they require.
Manufacturing plants frequently employ procurement engineers. A procurement engineer ensures that a manufacturing facility has all of the necessary machines, equipment, spare parts, materials, components, and supplies. These items must meet the quality and performance requirements of the facility. Aspects such as cost are also important to consider.
Choosing appropriate suppliers is one of a procurement engineer’s responsibilities. The engineer meets with representatives from various companies to discuss and compare their products and prices. Following the selection of appropriate vendors, the engineer negotiates sales agreements with them in order to purchase their products.
For the goods they purchase, some manufacturing facilities have stringent performance and quality standards. They may demand that their suppliers adhere to certain standards, such as those set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Inspections, audits, and performance reviews are frequently conducted by procurement engineers at supplier facilities to ensure that required standards are met.
Manufacturing facilities may require technical services from outside vendors in addition to goods. Tasks such as maintenance and repair are included in these services. A procurement engineer evaluates service providers’ proposals, quotes, and bids before selecting subcontractors to complete the tasks. The engineer verifies that the work was completed satisfactorily and provides feedback to the service provider after it is completed.
Procurement decisions are heavily influenced by price. Companies want to pay the least amount of money possible while still achieving their performance and quality objectives. Procurement engineers need to stay up to date on the economic and market conditions that influence the prices of goods and services in their industry.
A career in procurement engineering necessitates a lot of travel. A procurement engineer may travel both domestically and internationally to meet with vendors and visit their manufacturing facilities. In this field, an engineer who can communicate in more than one language is highly valued.