Procurement Manager
Career outlook for procurement manager
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£30,000
£30,000
Experienced
£60,000
£60,000
Currently employed in Scotland
6,000
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would source or buy the best quality goods, services or works for your organisation at the most competitive rates.
It would be your aim not only to save money but to deliver wider sustainable outcomes, including minimising waste and environmental impact and supporting ethical, diverse and future-proofed supply chains.
You would analyse information from suppliers to check the quality of their goods or services, their costs and their approach to wider sustainable outcomes.
You could negotiate with the suppliers to try and get a lower price without impacting wider sustainable outcomes, continuing to manage supplier relationships and commitments through the lifetime of the contract.
There are lots of different industries or areas you could work in, so what you'd buy would depend on your employer.
For example, you could buy:
- raw materials and engineering components for a manufacturing company
- wholesale goods from a producer to be sold by a shop
- furniture, equipment and cleaning, catering or IT services for your organisation's offices
- construction works for new or refurbished buildings
You would:
- be responsible for creating strategic plans for your organisation, allowing you the opportunity to bring forward your own ideas and leadership skills as you work with all parts of the business
- work with users and stakeholders to specify what goods, services, and works your employer needs now and in the future
- check and forecast requirements and/or stock levels
- research and identify current and emerging products and suppliers
- assess information and tenders from potential suppliers
- negotiate prices and wider commitments, agreeing contracts
- make sure that suppliers deliver on time and meet any other commitments
- ensure payments and invoices are processed
- keep up with market trends
- apply sustainable procurement practices, taking climate action and minimising environmental impacts of procurement, and realising social and economic benefits through procurement
In larger organisations, you might run a purchasing department and lead a team of category managers, buyers and administrators.
In smaller companies, you might combine purchasing responsibilities with other management duties.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
89%
Part-time
5%
Self employed
6%
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Find a jobTop skills
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- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
- Managing resources
- Delegating
- Making decisions
- Motivating others
- Taking responsibility
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
Many employers expect entrants to have a relevant Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10).
Some employers may offer a graduate training scheme where you would work towards professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).
An alternative entry route is to start as a procurement officer and work your way up taking professional qualifications through CIPS while you work.
Entry requirements for the Higher National Diploma (HND) Supply Chain Management course at City of Glasgow College are 2 Highers at C minimum.
Entry to the third year of the International Supply Chain Management course at Glasgow Caledonian University is through completion of the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Supply Chain Management first.
Postgraduate courses accredited by the CIPS are available at Heriot-Watt University and Robert Gordon University.
Useful subjects
- English
- Modern Studies
- Economics
- History
- Business
You will also need
Once in the job most employers will expect you to gain professional qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) if you have not acquired these through your course.
Some employers will require qualifications that are relevant to their industry instead of, or in addition to, procurement qualifications.
Helpful to have
Relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Supply Chain Management (SVQ level 3/4/5).
Related industries
