Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers find the best-quality products at the lowest prices. Whether it’s a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, or some other large institution, if it needs supplies, then a Procurement Manager is on the job. Developing a procurement schedule, training staff, creating ordering policies, and maintaining relationships with suppliers are all important parts of a Procurement Manager’s job.

As a Procurement Manager, you split your time between routine tasks and unpredictable conditions. If your organization uses some items in regular patterns, then your job is to make sure the next shipment comes in on schedule before existing supplies get used up. However, unforeseen issues come up all the time: A product is discontinued, a shipment arrives damaged or otherwise unusable, etc. You have to rely on your quick wits, communications skills, and industry connections to find a suitable stopgap and then a long-term solution.

Long hours on the phone or in front of a computer, along with random travel engagements, are standard. You routinely travel to trade shows to personally inspect the latest product lines, and to gather information about shipping and pricing options. You then incorporate this information into your supply plans. When a new policy is designed and implemented, it’s also your job to train your staff and make sure they adhere to it.