What does a Procurement Manager do?
Many businesses depend on Procurement Managers for profitable, efficient operations. They handle a variety of tasks, including interviewing, hiring, and training Purchasing Agents and Buyers, evaluating the quality of the goods and services procured, and negotiating with vendors and contractors to reduce costs. Procurement Managers also make sure that suppliers, vendors, and employees follow company policies and any applicable laws or regulations. The types of items that a Procurement Manager works with vary depending on the company and the industry. They can include raw materials, finished products, or services.
Procurement Manager skills and qualifications
Successful Procurement Managers are polite, friendly, persuasive, and professional. They can work with a wide variety of supplies and employees, and they can adapt quickly to changing conditions. They can also keep track of a variety of small details. Procurement Managers who communicate with suppliers in foreign countries are often bilingual or multilingual. Top skills and qualifications for Procurement Managers include:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Outstanding organization and time management skills
- Extensive understanding of the services or products the business sells and the industry it operates in
- Ability to anticipate sales and determine which items the company will need most
- Good understanding of basic math, accounting, and budgeting
Procurement Manager experience requirements
Most Procurement Manager jobs require at least five years of procurement or purchasing experience, along with some management experience. Some positions will consider candidates with one or two years of experience, and others prefer people who have worked in similar roles for more than a decade.
Procurement Manager education and training requirements
Look for Procurement Managers with a bachelor’s degree in business, business administration, commerce, or economics. A double major or additional training in the relevant industry for procurement is preferable. For example, a Procurement Manager purchasing industrial equipment may need an engineering degree to be familiar with all the functions and terminology. Procurement Manager candidates with a Supply Chain Management Professional designation will be well-prepared as they need to pass an exam to earn certification.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a Procurement Manager isn’t exactly what your company is searching for, some similar job description samples that could suit your needs include: