Procurement Engineer Career Guide

What is a procurement engineer?

Procurement engineers are like the super shoppers for companies, especially when it comes to buying technical stuff that businesses need to keep running smoothly. If you love technology and figuring out which gadgets or machines are the best, this could be the perfect job for you!

Duties and responsibilities

Procurement engineers work with teams to pick out the right equipment, keep track of what’s been bought, and make sure everything arrives on time. They also:

• Check out equipment to see if it’s up to snuff
• Talk and negotiate deals with the people selling the equipment
• Keep everyone in the loop about what’s been bought and how it works
• Solve problems if the equipment doesn’t work right or isn’t there when it should be

They need to know a lot about technology and how businesses work, usually having a degree in something like procurement engineering, supply chain management, or business administration.

Work environment

Procurement engineers mostly work in offices where they plan and manage all the buying activities. They might also visit suppliers, check out trade shows, or travel to different places where the equipment they are interested in is being shown off. They work in all sorts of places like big companies, government agencies, and stores that sell wholesale.

Typical work hours

They usually work regular hours, from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. But sometimes, especially if something urgent comes up or the company runs all the time, they might need to be on call during the weekend to handle any sudden equipment issues.

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How to become a procurement engineer

If you’re interested in becoming a procurement engineer, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get there:

Step 1: Earn your bachelor’s degree

After high school, go to college and get a degree in engineering, business, or something related. While there isn’t a specific degree just for procurement, these areas of study will give you a good foundation.

Step 2: Gain experience

Procurement engineering isn’t usually a job you can jump right into without experience. Start by working in purchasing or supply chain management. This hands-on experience is super valuable and can help you learn how to deal with suppliers and manage orders.

Step 3: Get certified

Certifications can really make your resume stand out. They show you’ve got specific skills and knowledge in procurement. Here are a couple of certifications you might consider:

• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP): Offered by the American Purchasing Society, you need two years of purchasing experience. You’ll take a three-week course and pass an exam.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM): From the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), this one shows you’re skilled in all areas of procurement and supply chain. You need at least three years of experience if you have a bachelor’s degree.

Step 4: Learn more with special courses

Besides certifications, you can boost your knowledge with specific online courses:

• Procurement Management on Udemy: Learn the basics of managing purchases and dealing with suppliers.
• Engineering Project Management on Coursera: Great for understanding how to manage engineering projects, including quality and procurement.
• Construction Procurement Management: Perfect if you’re interested in working in construction or infrastructure, teaching you how to manage contracts and choose subcontractors.

Step 5: Start job hunting

Once you’re educated, certified, and experienced, start looking for procurement engineer positions. Use job search websites and tap into your professional network to find opportunities.

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How much do procurement engineers make?

There are many variables that go into determining how much a procurement engineer makes, from company size to experience to education just to name a few.

Browse procurement engineer salary data by market

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Types of procurement engineers

Procurement engineers help companies get the stuff they need, whether it’s materials for making products or services that help the company run smoothly. There are four main types of procurement that these engineers might specialize in:

Direct and indirect procurement

• Direct procurement: This is all about finding and buying the materials that are directly used in the products a company makes and sells. For example, a toy company needs plastic and paint to make their toys, and a direct procurement engineer would handle buying those materials.
• Indirect procurement: This involves purchasing things that the company needs to operate but aren’t part of the actual products. This could be stuff like office supplies, furniture, or even the snacks in the break room!

Goods and services procurement

• Goods procurement: This type of procurement focuses on getting the physical items a company needs, from raw materials for production to software and tools that help everyone do their jobs.
• Services procurement: This is about hiring people and outside companies to provide services that the company needs to keep running, from hiring a cleaning service for the office to bringing in a consultant to help with a special project. These engineers will work on setting up the deals and making sure the terms are good for the company.

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Top skills for procurement engineers

Becoming a procurement engineer means you need a mix of education and cool skills that help you get the right stuff for your company. Here’s what you need to be good at:

Negotiation skills

One of the biggest parts of the job is making deals. You’ll need to be great at negotiating contracts, which includes figuring out prices and the details that make sure your company gets a fair deal.

Reading and understanding technical documents

You should be able to read and understand technical documents like blueprints or product specs. This is super important because you need to know exactly what your company needs, whether it’s a part for a machine or a new type of software.

Critical thinking and problem solving

Things don’t always go as planned, so being able to think on your feet and solve problems quickly is a must. Whether it’s figuring out a sudden shortage of materials or dealing with a delivery that’s gone wrong, you need to find solutions that keep everything moving smoothly.

Experience in supply chain or purchasing

Having some real-world experience in supply chain management or a similar area can really help. This kind of experience teaches you the ins and outs of buying, from finding suppliers to getting the best deals, and helps you understand the challenges you might face in this career.

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Procurement engineer career path

Procurement engineers play a super important role in helping their companies stay ahead in the market. If you start in this career and work hard, here’s how you might grow:

Moving up

After you’ve gained experience and shown that you’re really good at what you do, you might get the chance to move up to a higher role like director or vice president of procurement. In these positions, you’re not just dealing with daily purchases but also making bigger plans on how buying can be more efficient and cost-effective.

Exploring supply chain management

As companies realize how crucial good supply chain management is, there might be even more opportunities for you to explore. You could end up overseeing not just procurement but the entire journey of materials from the supplier to the factory and beyond.

Looking for expanded roles

With your expertise, you might also move into roles that involve strategic planning or innovations in how your company handles its resources. These kinds of roles are really important for keeping the company competitive and successful.

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Similar job titles

• Procurement Manager
• Supply Chain Analyst
• Materials Manager
• Logistics Manager
• Purchasing Manager

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Position trends and outlook for procurement engineers

Procurement engineering is getting more exciting as technology plays a bigger role. Here’s what’s happening in this field:

• More tech tools: Lots of new digital tools are popping up in procurement, making it easier to handle things like spending analysis, supplier relationships, contract management, and risk assessment. These tools are especially great at using big data, which helps these engineers make smarter decisions faster.
• Market changes: The prices and availability of materials can change a lot because of things like new trade tariffs or other barriers., so they need to be really good at keeping an eye on these changes. They use special processes to track suppliers and manage any surprises in material costs or availability.

Employment projections

The future looks bright for procurement engineers. Jobs in this area are expected to grow by about 14% over the next ten years, which is much faster than many other careers. This growth is driven by the increasing importance of efficient and effective procurement in businesses.

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Procurement engineer career tips

Soft skills and traits

Practice simple repair techniques on machines by taking things apart and learning how they work. Improve your negotiation skills by taking a course and practicing different strategies because procurement requires a lot of pricing and terms negotiations.

Commonly required skills and qualifications

Take courses in accounting, inventory management, and retail management to help you understand the full process of the role. Familiarize yourself with the common software systems. Most software companies offer free classes on their websites that will teach you some basic skills and tips to get the most out of the systems.

Develop a professional network

Build up your network of vendors and suppliers. The more people you know in your industry, the easier it will be to locate the best options. There are also some professional networks you could join, like these:

• Association for Supply Chain Management
• Procurement Leaders Network
• Institute for Supply Management
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

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FAQs