Procurement manager

Procurement managers are responsible for sourcing and purchasing the best quality equipment, goods and services at the most competitive prices to enable a company or organisation to operate successfully

As a procurement manager, you'll be directly involved in the sourcing and purchasing of products and services, such as:

• components to make a product that a company sells
• products to be sold by a company (for example in a shop)
• goods and services for use by the company
• marketing and advertising services to promote a company.

Your role will involve sourcing and evaluating suppliers, contract drafting, negotiation and managing suppliers through the whole procurement process. You'll also deal with any sustainability, risk management and ethical issues.

Your work will help a business or organisation save money, minimise waste and increase profits.

Responsibilities

As a procurement manager, you'll need to:

• forecast levels of demand for services and products
• conduct research to source the best products and suppliers in terms of best value, delivery schedules and quality
• run tenders, evaluate bids and make recommendations, based on commercial and technical factors
• negotiate and agree contracts, monitoring the quality of service provided
• keep contract files and use them as reference for the future
• build and maintain good relationships with new and existing suppliers
• manage and motivate a team of procurement staff
• liaise between suppliers, manufacturers, internal teams such as supply chain, planning, marketing, IT and sales, and customers
• develop strategies to make sure that cost savings and supplier performance targets are met - or exceeded
• ensure all procurement processes are followed and accurately recorded
• undertake value for money reviews of existing contracts and arrangements
• ensure the security and sustainability of sources of essential products and services
• forecast price trends and their impact on future activities
• give presentations about market analysis and possible growth
• develop and implement a procurement strategy
• analyse data and produce reports and statistics on spending and saving
• ensure suppliers are aware of business objectives
• attend meetings and trade conferences
• keep up to date with trends and innovations, regulation and new technology that can impact on the business
• train junior members of staff.

Salary

• According to the 2023 CIPS Procurement Salary Guide, average salaries at entry level, for example as a graduate trainee/buyer, are around £25,598.
• Procurement or purchasing officers earn on average £31,322, rising to an average of £41,576 for procurement specialists.
• Procurement/purchasing managers earn an average of £49,257, rising to an average of £65,000 for more experienced managers. Average salaries at the very highest levels can range from £77,381 to £160,166, depending on the nature of the role and the level of responsibility.

Salaries vary depending on a range of factors including your location (salaries are typically higher in London, for example), the size and type of company you work for, and the sector you work in (private, public or charity/not-for-profit).

Other factors that affect salary include your skills, experience, level of seniority and professional qualifications, e.g. chartership.

Income data from the 2023 CIPS Procurement Salary Guide. Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are fairly standard, although you may need to work extra hours to meet deadlines.

If you're working for an international company, you may have to arrive at the office early or stay late to make calls to countries in different time zones.

There are opportunities for flexible and hybrid working.

What to expect

• The working environment is usually office based, although you may need to visit suppliers and customers.
• Jobs are available in most towns and cities throughout the UK, particularly if there is a strong manufacturing and retailing base. However, procurement managers tend to be based at head offices, many of which are in London or the South East.
• There is a high level of responsibility, which can be challenging. However, there are good career development prospects if you have the right combination of skills, experience and motivation.
• According to the 2023 Hays Procurement Salary Guide, there is still work to be done to narrow the gender pay gap for women, particularly at senior levels.
• You may need to travel during the day and stay away from home overnight to visit other sites. There may be travel abroad to attend trade shows or set up business agreements with new contacts. Since commercial buying is a global activity, you may find opportunities to work abroad.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree subjects may improve your chances:

• business studies/business management
• business purchasing and supply
• economics
• engineering
• marketing
• manufacturing or engineering
• operations management
• purchasing and logistics
• retail management
• supply chain management.

Some large organisations, for example the NHS, offer graduate trainee schemes in procurement.

Entry requirements vary depending on the type and size of the employing organisation. For example, large retail stores and wholesale distribution centres may prefer a degree with a business emphasis, whereas some employers, particularly in manufacturing, engineering or construction firms, may prefer qualifications and knowledge relevant to the field.

When applying for jobs, some employers will prefer you to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or to be working towards becoming one. One way to do this is to take a CIPS-accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Alternatively, you can study for CIPS qualifications to become a full member. For both routes, you'll need three years' experience to apply for MCIPS.

The Novus programme was created to help undergraduate students interested in supply chain, logistics, operations, transport and data analytics positively progress their future career. It provides students with access to summer and year-long placements, graduate roles, and both professional and peer mentors. Find out which universities offer the Novus programme.

Entry without a degree is possible by starting in an entry-level role such as administrative assistant, purchasing assistant or assistant buyer. It may then be possible to gain promotion through experience and by taking professional qualifications offered by CIPS.

You can also take a procurement apprenticeship, combining paid work with part-time study. Procurement apprenticeships are available at:

• level 3 - entry level point if you're starting out in a career in procurement and supply
• level 4 - aimed at those wanting to move into junior procurement management roles
• level 6 (degree-level) - if you're looking to move into a strategic leadership role.

Although you don't need a postgraduate degree to become a procurement manager, it may be helpful. Search for postgraduate courses in procurement.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• strong negotiation skills for getting the best price and value for money
• commercial and financial awareness as managing budgets and keeping costs down is a key part of the role
• strong analytical ability
• investigative and planning skills to identify what the business needs
• excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external teams
• numeracy skills for analysing facts and figures
• the ability to lead and motivate a team
• tact and diplomacy
• the ability to make important decisions and cope with the pressure of demanding targets and conflicting deadlines
• strong project management skills
• the ability to solve problems and make decisions, as well as to think strategically and laterally
• time management skills and the ability to deliver to deadlines
• resilience.

Work experience

Competition for roles is keen and previous business or professional services experience is important. Try to find relevant work experience, for example as a purchasing assistant or junior buyer, complete a sandwich placement in procurement as part of your degree course or ask if you can work shadow a procurement manager to find out more about the role.

Some larger organisations run summer vacation schemes or offer internships in procurement.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Procurement is increasingly recognised as an essential part to any business. Jobs are available in the private and public sector and with charities or not-for-profit organisations.

Employers can range from national or multinational companies to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a range of sectors. When working for an SME you may be responsible for the full procurement and supply chain functions.

Typical employers include:

• the armed forces
• energy and water
• engineering and construction industries
• information and communication technology companies
• local and national government
• manufacturing and service companies
• the NHS
• pharmaceutical companies
• professional services industries
• public services industries
• retailing and mail order companies
• wholesalers.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Supply Chain Online
• CIPS Procurement and Supply Jobs

Recruitment agencies such as Robert Walters, Michael Page and Hays also advertise vacancies. Vacancies are also advertised on LinkedIn.

You can also check the websites of national/international companies and organisations for opportunities.

Professional development

Graduate training schemes typically last 18 months to three years. You'll usually complete several placements under the supervision of a mentor. You'll be assessed throughout the training and may have the opportunity to work towards professional membership of CIPS.

If you don't have a place on a graduate scheme, you may start as a junior or assistant buyer or a purchasing assistant. As a new employee, you'll be expected to learn the specifics of your employer's business. You'll receive practical on-the-job training and will learn by working closely with more experienced members of staff. With further training and qualifications, you can progress to procurement manager roles.

CIPS offers a choice of qualifications that can be studied while working or via distance learning. These provide a structured path of training that leads to full CIPS membership (MCIPS). Search the list of CIPS qualifications.

Once you've achieved MCIPS status, have a CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply certificate and have recorded 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) over the previous 12 months, you can apply for CIPS Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional status.

Once chartered, you must continue to complete 30 hours of CPD each year. CIPS offers a range of short training courses, as well as workshops, seminars and events, and you can also get involved in branch or special interest groups.

It's also possible to study for a Masters degree in procurement if you don't already have one.

Career prospects

Your options for career development will depend on the organisation you work for. In larger companies, for example, procurement activities are conducted by teams of people, possibly at different locations. You can progress by moving on to manage a team and then a group of teams. In a smaller company, however, you may be responsible for all the work and may have to move to a different company to progress your career.

Experienced managers may also move to a department that manages a larger volume of goods, products or services. Job titles at a higher level include:

• senior buyer
• procurement manager
• procurement director
• head of procurement
• chief procurement officer.

It's also possible to specialise in a specific area such as IT, facilities management or travel.

Some roles may require overseas travel, to assess the suitability of goods or products, and there may also be opportunities to work abroad with large multinational organisations.