Why You Should Career Transition To Purchasing and Procurement

Procurement refers to the multi-step process of sourcing the goods and services that businesses need to operate. Purchasing sits within procurement and focuses more specifically on buying goods and services and lowering costs. Both purchasing and procurement are situated at the beginning of the supply chain.

There are many reasons to fill a purchasing or procurement position within an organisation, but here are our top seven.

1. Purchasing or procurement gives you variety in your work

There are several broad categories within a supply chain workforce. Once you have secured a role in one area, there is plenty of scope for variety in your work depending on your skill set and aptitude. The sector is big enough for moves within a company to be effective career changes too, ensuring you are always enjoying your work.

Areas you may find attractive are:

• Management (supply chain director, supply chain manager, facilities manager)
• Supply chain information systems (logistics analyst, process engineer, supply chain analyst, supply chain systems manager)
• Warehousing (warehouse operations manager, warehouse operative)
• Transportation (transportation manager, fleet manager)
• Inventory (inventory specialist, vendor-managed inventory/replenishment specialist)
• Materials and procurement (materials scheduler, materials analyst/manager, production analyst/manager, procurement analyst/purchasing manager)
• Sales and customer service (director of client management/engagement manager, account manager/sales representative, account specialist/customer service, customer service manager)

2. Purchasing or procurement offers great management pathways

With so many areas to choose from, you can easily apply yourself and progress from junior roles to assistant manager or management roles. Beyond Purchasing/Procurement Manager positions you can keep going and be promoted to Chief Operations Manager, Business Manager, or even CEO.

Of course, your career requires continued learning, networking, qualifications and being ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arrive or as you create them. If a change of lifestyle appeals, you could become a supply chain consultant, working with different clients to identify problems and opportunities and implement solutions.

3. Job satisfaction in purchasing

The aspects of purchasing that make it enjoyable for many include:

• Scope for teamwork
• A feeling that you are making a difference within the company
• The ability to affect customer care positively

As you are directly involved in the sourcing and delivery of goods and services, there are many opportunities to experience your work being appreciated by suppliers, other departments, customers and colleagues. You can also choose to work in an industry that you feel passionate about such as hospitality, green products or finished goods.

4. The supply chain sector offers opportunities for all genders

The supply chain sector is actively encouraging both women and men to begin or develop their supply chain careers. This is due to two main influences:

• Automation and machine advances have eliminated a lot of manual labour that did not appeal to many women in the past.
• Many workers who have been with purchasing or procurement departments their entire careers are now of retirement age, leaving plenty of opportunities for all genders to secure a rewarding role.

5. Leading-edge technology and systems

One of the areas embracing technology advancements at rapid rates is purchasing and procurement. Warehouse robotics, voice recognition, automated supply train and transportation, ridesharing type apps using GPS tracking, advanced software and virtual logistics teams are all exciting trends that are using technology to change supply chain management for the better.

6. Use transferable skills to become a purchasing manager

If you are currently working in another business area, such as operations, project management or administration, you will find that there is a logical place for your skills within purchasing. Transferable skills and knowledge in different supply chain roles and industries can include:

• Knowledge of logistics, supply chain management and transportation
• Financial planning
• Forecasting
• Workflow optimisation
• General management and business
• International business practices
• Knowledge of laws and regulations
• Mechanical skills
• Languages

Employers are seeking your skills in these areas and will value you as a long-term addition to their purchasing or procurement team.

7. Getting qualified in purchasing or procurement is simple

An online Diploma of Business (Procurement) (BSB50120) takes just three to six months to complete with full-time study or 12–24 months part-time. Your personalised learning plan will account for any recognition of prior learning and further shorten your time to achieve your qualification.

Imagine yourself being in a new and exciting purchasing or procurement career only six to 12 months from now, experiencing great pay for rewarding work. You’ll be glad you made a smart career transition to procurement or purchasing sooner rather than later.