Procurement Engineer

As a Procurement Engineer, you’re a Buyer of highly technical materials and equipment for the company you work for. Your Managers might not have any idea what parts are needed for the equipment the company uses, and that’s why they hired you. You’re a trained Engineer, and as such, you understand the inner workings of many pieces of machinery and products, and are able to order the correct parts for them as needed.

Procurement Engineers also know when to hire technical support, or when to invest in test equipment so you can do your own testing and repairs. You make sure that the company you work for is dealing with an honest and dependable supply company, and that the items you purchase are up to industry standards and will fulfill your equipment needs.

But it’s not just your ability to identify what it is you need to buy or who to buy it from that makes you such a technical wizard. Procurement Engineers are also shrewd business individuals: You know the fair market value of the parts and labor you’re purchasing, and you won’t allow anyone to pull a fast one on you or your Managers. Therefore, one of your duties is to negotiate deals and contracts with suppliers. You also arrange for the delivery, and oversee the installation or repair.

You might use multiple suppliers, procuring parts from one, assembly from another, and on-site maintenance from yet another. It’s up to you to navigate that technical terrain and make life easier for your bosses.