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Procurement Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Procurement Manager, or Purchasing Manager, makes sure businesses have the supplies and materials they need in order to run smoothly. Their duties include developing and implementing procurement policies, supervising purchasing department employees, and organizing the company’s purchasing activities.

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Procurement Manager duties and responsibilities

The exact responsibilities of a Procurement Manager depend on the type of company and its size. These employees select suppliers and vendors, make sure the business has inventory available, and maintain an effective, reliable supply chain. Duties and responsibilities in a Procurement Manager job description may include:

  • Developing specifications and requirements for products and services the business purchases
  • Completing performance evaluations for employees and making reports
  • Giving feedback to employees and answering questions to improve productivity
  • Reading and analyzing reports from supervisors and other employees
  • Updating executives about the actions of the procurement department regularly
  • Creating strategies for increasing supply chain efficiency
  • Making payments to vendors while maintaining the company’s budget
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Procurement Manager Job Description Examples:

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:

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Procurement Manager job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Procurement Manager and a Supply Chain Manager?

A Procurement Manager orders goods and services from contractors and makes or approves payments when the company receives those orders. A Supply Chain Manager makes sure the infrastructure that brings supplies to the business is efficient and resistant to unexpected changes. Supply Chain Managers help executives decide whether they should build warehouses and factories or pay contractors to make and store their products. They also work to decrease the time needed to manufacture and ship products. They may conduct inspections of products and facilities, but they don’t usually place orders like Procurement Managers do.

Who does a Procurement Manager report to?

Procurement Managers usually report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), or the head of the finance department. In some cases, they report to the Director of Operations or Chief Operations Officer. Smaller or developing companies may require the Procurement Manager to report directly to the owner.

What's a typical day like for a Procurement Manager?

Procurement Managers spend most of their time communicating with vendors, department heads, and executives. They attend meetings, make phone calls, and review reports. Procurement Managers sometimes make trips to attend meetings or visit factories and other facilities. They usually work regular business hours in an office, but some Procurement Managers work from home.

What makes a good Procurement Manager job description?

To write an excellent Procurement Manager job description, include an overview of the business’s focus and the industry you operate in. Provide an overview of the people they will be communicating with and their expected working hours. Include benefits like healthcare insurance, RRSP matching programs, and any other attractive perks to attract the best candidates.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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