What It Takes to Work in Procurement

A position in procurement entails a high degree of responsibility. As more organizations realize the value of managing supply and spending to boost one’s competitive edge, the more in-demand procurement professionals get. Because it is a dynamic space, procurement gives you access to a multitude of career growth and development opportunities. 

So the question is, what does it take to work in procurement? How can you be a top-notch professional in this field?

Soft Skills Needed to Work in Procurement

As with any job or field, you will need to have a particular set of skills to excel and become proficient. Sometimes, you can obtain them through education and attending trainings. Others you can acquire while working on a specific project or with the procurement side of a business. Some of the essential skills you need to have to become an effective procurement professional are as follows:

• • Versatility – Things can quickly change in procurement due to unforeseen events and other factors. As a result, when you choose to work in this sector, you need versatility to adapt to circumstances accordingly.
  • Communication skills – Communicating what you need from appropriate parties like suppliers, vendors, logistics partners, and other business partners is a big part of procurement. 
  • Analytical skills – Often, a position in procurement entails dealing with a large amount of data. It would help you greatly if you have a basic background in supplier relationships, budgeting, finances, and data interpretation.
  • Time management – Procuring products or services can be a time-sensitive process. Meeting the deadline and managing your time is crucial if you want to help your team save money and avoid delays or other problems.
  • Negotiation – You will find yourself in countless situations where you need to negotiate your way through a more sensible deal. Hence, it’s a must to know when and how you should comprise or stand your ground.
  • Collaborative skills – Needless to say, a job in procurement will require you to work with various teams. Having the basic intrapersonal skills can help you foster healthy relationships among everyone you collaborate with.
  • Tech savviness – As the world embraces digitization, it becomes a huge must for professionals, especially in procurement, to keep pace and become tech-savvy.

Procurement Certifications that may Boost your Competitive Edge

Having a procurement certification can provide you with a better advantage when applying for a role. Besides giving you additional credibility, having certificates from renowned procurement authorities also provide you with other benefits such as:

• Up-to-date knowledge on the best practices used in the industry 
• Ability to grow your network and connect with more peers
• Edge to qualify for a regional or global 
• Potential salary advantage 

Here are some of the popular certifications for aspiring procurement professionals:

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
• Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Diploma (CIPS)
• Certified Strategic Sourcing Professional (CSSP)
• Certified International Procurement Professional (CIPP) 
• Certified International Advanced Procurement Professional (CIAPP)

When choosing between the different certifications, be sure to consider what specific areas of supply management and procurement appeal the most to you. If you’re a complete newbie in this field, finding a suitable certification to acquire ensures that you get the most value out of the money and time that you will invest. 

Find a Procurement Position to Fill with the Supply Advisory

So, do you have what it takes to work in procurement? We hope our quick guide above has helped you learn a bit more about working in procurement. If you’re keen on being part of this fast-paced and exciting industry, we can help you find a suitable position. 

Here at the Supply Advisory, we work with some of the leaders in procurement here in APAC. These companies often have job openings waiting to be filled by the right candidate. With the required set of skills and experience, you can surely land your dream job in procurement. 

Make sure to check out our job portal to find the latest procurement job vacancies around APAC. You may also reach out to us for other queries on procurement recruitment. 

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.