How to Progress Your Procurement Career

Procurement is among the specialized sectors in the supply chain industry. With its dynamic and fast-paced nature, you can develop a variety of skills as you get to work on crucial tasks, such as improving product costing, connecting and engaging with suppliers, and negotiating contracts. If you see yourself staying in this sector for years, you might as well seek ways to grow into your role or transition to a higher position. Here are some ways to progress your career in procurement.

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of your role

Whether you aim to grow into your current role or seek a higher position, it is crucial to look at the bigger picture. By becoming more aware of how your role affects the entire organization, you can have a more meaningful understanding of the challenges met by the stakeholders. It also allows you to provide more value as a professional and consequently deliver a higher ROI to your company.    

Seek additional learning opportunities

Besides honing existing skills, you should also seek opportunities where you can upskill. Set yourself apart by keeping abreast of the new technologies used in procurement, enrolling in MOOCs, or getting professional certifications. Two examples of procurement certifications include Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).

Learn to communicate better with your team

A lot of the tasks done by a team of procurement professionals rely a lot on good communication. Be active in sharing your ideas and ask your teammates for feedback and recommendations. Keep the communication lines open as well to address any problems and ensure the smooth flow of your collaboration projects.

Build your network

Another effective way to progress your career in procurement is by growing your professional network by attending procurement and supply chain events in your country or region. This is the perfect time to take advantage of virtual events like webinars and conferences. It is also a good practice to reach out to fellow professionals on LinkedIn; as more people spend time online, you should aim to engage and build relationships with your LinkedIn connections.

Maximize your LinkedIn profile

Besides serving as a great tool to meet people, LinkedIn also doubles as a platform you can use to market yourself as a procurement professional. You can use it to share your own content or join discussions in your online community. Also, if you optimize your supply chain LinkedIn profile, you get to attract like-minded individuals and even hiring companies and recruiters. Take note of how you can improve your profile’s searchability and make sure that it’s always up-to-date. 

Find yourself a mentor

Working closely with a procurement mentor can help you accelerate career growth. You can find one within the company or join a mentorship program so you can connect to a professional with extensive experience in your chosen industry. Benefit from their wealth of knowledge and expertise by actively engaging during your meeting and asking thought-provoking questions. 

Continuously evaluate areas for improvement

Aim to regularly assess your progress in achieving your career goals in procurement. Take note of areas that need improvement. For example, do you have the necessary skills needed to up your game and help your company navigate through a post-COVID world? Do you have an excellent personal brand? How do others perceive you online and offline?

What about your career goals? Are they realistic and attainable? Are you a good fit in your current role? What are your highs and lows in your job? What do you hope to achieve in your next target role? Take a step back and learn what other things you need to grow into a better procurement professional.      

Progress your Procurement Career with The Supply Advisory 

The procurement industry is definitely the place to be if you are hungry for challenges. It is actively growing and serves a critical role for many businesses. 

We hope you can work your way through your dream role in procurement with the tips we provided above. If you are looking to fill a new procurement job in APAC, you can check out our job board today! 

Aileen Apuntar-Laqui is the Director – Operations & Research at The Supply Advisory (a division of Datasearch Consulting), a leading executive recruitment firm specialising in Procurement & Supply Chain.

You can view the The Supply Advisory website or contact them directly at info@supplyadvisory.com for a more detailed discussion.