2003. Fresh-faced and sitting my GCSEs, a career in procurement never came up during my career counseling. In fact, I didn’t even know what it was! And like most others, procurement was a sector I fell into.
Fast forward 16 years, and having spent the last nine recruiting procurement roles, it’s clear to me that not only is procurement a thriving business function, but it can be a great career option too! This is why.
Whether you start your career at the bottom of the ladder as a Purchasing Assistant or sidestep later in your career, the opportunities to progress are plentiful. With the rise of Chief Procurement Officer roles, you could find yourself leading the strategy of the business alongside other c-suite colleagues.
Don’t fancy managing people? Not a problem. Luckily, you can still progress to high levels without having to manage a team. Take this FTSE 250 business we’ve recently been working with; we helped them find a Head of Procurement which came with a 6-figure salary and great benefits. Without a single direct report!
To have a successful career in procurement, you will need to acquire a wide range of business skills. Whether it’s negotiation to thrash out a deal with a new supplier, market research to map out your supply base, or leadership skills to coach and influence stakeholders on procurement policy; you’ll be developing a set of skills that will carry you throughout your career.
It’s the spice of life, and procurement is no exception. Whether you want to specialise in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier management, or even sustainability for the eco-conscious out there, you’ll have plenty of options to either diversify or narrow down your expertise. Not only this, you can choose to specialise in what interests you. Excited by packaging? Cars your thing? Want to give back and work for a charity? Whatever your interest, you can choose to work in an industry that means something to you.
We live in a world that’s more connected than ever and working with suppliers across the globe is typical. Although many communications are done by telecon or video-con, suppliers still need visiting to be vetted and managed. Whether you’re working with suppliers in the UK or the Far East, you won’t be chained to your desk and you’ll be out and about. The travel will also help hone your skills of working with different cultures!
Ever felt like you’re lacking a sense of purpose in your job? If you’re working in procurement, you’ll be directly influencing and impacting the success of the organisation, so you won’t feel like a cog in a big wheel.
Whether you’re putting together a sustainable procurement plan that will ensure business continuity or working on a cost-saving project that’ll improve profitability and allow for reinvestment; you’ll be able to put your feet up at the end of every week and take stock of what you’ve achieved.
If you’re reading this and considering your options either as an entry-level procurement professional or a seasoned professional, get in touch to get started on your journey.
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