With the slow but steady recovery of the economy, procurement has become one of the top employment sectors, and talented procurement professionals are in demand more than ever.
Companies are now recognising that at the heart of their survival through and post the tough economic climate is their procurement team. Many businesses are investing time and money into sourcing the best procurement talent available, with high salaries and plentiful rewards being offered. So what makes you a desirable procurement professional? What key skills and knowledge shape the ideal procurement employee that are so highly in demand at the moment?
Interim Experience
There are many interim positions available at the moment as a lot of companies are still reluctant to offer full time positions while the recovery of the economy is still in the early stages.
These interim positions are often viewed negatively but the reality of the situation is that interim positions actually benefit both the professional and the company. Interim employment allow the ambitious procurement professional to gain work experience in a short term positions within already established procurement teams and the skills learnt here are invaluable and transferable into future procurement roles. Organisations who employ Interim staff benefit from this arrangement in a variety of ways, namely that new temporary staff often come with experience in a wide range of sector and this fresh outlook can mean an innovative and exciting new outlook on the companies own procurement processes.
Category Management
There has been much emphasis recently on supply chain relationships. It has been shown that stronger relationships with suppliers ultimately lead to a more efficient and cost effective procurement process. For this reason there has been a surge in openings for those with category management experience, on anything from a regional to a global level, who can from new relationships and nurture existing relationships with suppliers, with the predominant aim to strengthen the foundations of the supply chain and reduce overall costs.
CIPS Qualifications
Experience is a great way to acquire skills and boost your CV in any profession, and procurement is no exception. But in procurement, it is important that as a candidate you have a professional degree level qualification, even for entry level positions.
Procurement jobs are methodological and require a significant level of responsibility from the outset, so the knowledge and understanding of procurement processes are essential. This is where having a Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) qualification can set you apart from the competition.
CIPS qualifications can be gained in a number of ways, and studying doesn’t have to hinder or slow down your career. CIPS qualifications have such an excellent reputation within the industry that many employers will actually offer CIPS scholarships to entry level candidates to enable them to learn alongside gaining real working experience.
CIPS courses can be undertaken in person via part time evening study or even intensive weekends, or through the popular medium of Distance Learning, with online support offered 24/7 to allow you to complete your qualification in your own time and at your own pace. You can test out the unique online learning system with a free two week trial, find out more here.
Oxford College of Procurement and Supply is dedicated to developing procurement professionals with a full suite of industry-recognised qualifications. We can support you all the way through your CIPS learning journey. Whether it be at entry level with the Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations or senior procurement and supply chain managers, who are looking to advance their career with the Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply. Contact us for more information.
