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Procurement professionals purchase goods and services for businesses. There are three levels: Buyers, Procurement Managers, and Executives. Education and work experience are required, and certification is optional but recommended. Each level has different requirements and responsibilities.
A procurement professional is responsible for the purchasing activity of a business or organization. A person’s primary role in this job position is to purchase goods and services for the best possible combination of quality, service, and price. There are three levels of procurement professionals: Buyers, Procurement Managers, and Executives.
To become a procurement professional, candidates must have a combination of education and work experience in procurement. Anyone interested in working in this field should research the sourcing association in their area. This organization offers courses and certificate programs to become a recognized purchasing professional. Certification by a procurement association is not mandatory but is an optional program that provides assurance to potential employers regarding academic credentials and training.
A buyer is an entry-level purchasing professional. He is responsible for executing purchase agreements, issuing purchase orders with a specified dollar value, and reviewing change requests. The academic credentials needed to become a buyer often include specific acquisition courses offered at the postsecondary level. No experience is usually required, as this is an entry-level certification.
A procurement manager is the most common type of procurement professional. He manages bids, auctions, offers and complex procurement transactions. Some purchasing managers are responsible for negotiating the contract, managing the supplier, and issuing large purchase orders. In a small organization, it might even complete all the tasks normally assigned to a buyer.
At this level, a minimum two-year post-secondary degree is required, which must include purchasing-related coursework. Many procurement associations require applicants to have at least one year of purchasing experience to qualify for admission to the purchasing manager certificate program. At this level, you can be expected to take full ownership and responsibility for issuing purchase orders and signing purchase agreements on behalf of the business.
A procurement association will have different programs and the required credentials for each type of professional, as the amount of responsibility and expectations are quite different for each level. All procurement professionals are required to successfully complete a certification exam, as mandated by the procurement association.
The Procurement Manager must have post-secondary business education and specific procurement-related courses. Expectations regarding work experience and level of responsibility are quite high, as this is often considered an executive position. Most procurement associations require the completion of an additional exam or interview to receive this level of certification. There may also be a continuing education component attached to certification at this level.
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