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Procurement Titles — 20 Key Roles You Should Know

Junior Procurement Management Course

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What are procurement titles?

  • Procurement titles refer to roles responsible for obtaining goods and services for an organization
  • Procurement titles are held by skilled professionals who add value and expertise to procurement processes.
  • The procurement industry has a wide range of roles, all of which enhance the efficiency of procurement procedures.

20 Key Procurement Titles

Procurement titles indicate experienced, proactive professionals who bring all kinds of value and knowledge to procurement processes. Depending on their expertise, procurement experts assist in various aspects of the process.

Below are twenty key procurement titles, including their day-to-day duties and how they help the procurement process.

procurement-titles

1. Procurement Manager

As a leader in procurement, the procurement manager oversees the entire procurement process. From strategic sourcing and planning to vendor management and contract negotiation, the procurement manager combines negotiation skills with their experience in navigating supply chains.

Procurement managers also dedicate their research to finding the right suppliers that offer the best terms while providing products and services that meet the company’s standards. In short, a procurement manager is responsible for making sure the procurement process meets the company’s needs through strategic planning, research, negotiation, and supplier selection.

  • Identifying the organization’s procurement requirements
  • Overseeing direct procurement processes, which involve acquiring raw materials, resources, goods, and services for manufacturing
  • Managing indirect procurement, which includes purchasing goods, services, supplies, and materials required for daily operations

Salary range: $113,300-$143,300/year with an average of $127,000/year

Procurement Manager Job Description Template

Job Title: Procurement Manager

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A procurement manager is responsible for an organization’s procurement of goods and services. They are responsible for discovering cost-efficient and quality suppliers and negotiating contracts to maximize an organization’s advantages.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Connecting and collaborating with key company employees to determine product and service needs.
  • Delegating tasks and supervising procurement tasks and procurement employees.
  • Identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies for improving them.
  • Managing direction, coordination, and evaluation of procurement processes and the procurement team.
  • Develop strong and positive relationships with business stakeholders and suppliers.
  • Creating and implementing policies and procedures for risk management and procurement improvement.
  • Analyzing available data to predict market trends and make more informed procurement decisions.
  • Communicating and collaborating with other departments to know what items or services are needed.
  • Finalize and approve budgets.
  • Creating detailed reports on company needs.
  • Creating budget proposals for different areas, like materials, goods, equipment, or advertising.
  • Calculating how to meet budgets or make cost-saving decisions through sourcing and data analysis.

KPIs for this role

  • Price reductions: Cost-saving strategies used to reduce overall procurement spend.
  • Competitive sourcing: Sourcing and negotiations that lead to cost reduction.
  • Cost avoidance: Avoidance of costs by things like avoidance of market price increase with negotiation.
  • Cost development: Measures the changes in cost over time and the effect of savings.
  • Savings: Percentage of actual savings year over year.
  • Contract prices and compliance: Maintenance and management of contract prices and ensuring that it is complied with.
  • Quality performance rating: The quality of suppliers and the consistent monitoring of their performance.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain, procurement, or related field.
  • Has experience in the field for at least 1 or more years.
  • Financial and economic skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Has an analytical mind and is good at problem-solving.
  • Excellent negotiating and networking skills.
  • Has working knowledge of procurement software and is willing to learn about other software as needed.
  • Has excellent communication skills and equally great relationship management skills.
Procurement Manager Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Connecting and collaborating with key company employees to determine product and service needs.
  • Delegating tasks and supervising procurement tasks and procurement employees.
  • Identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies for improving them.
  • Managing direction, coordination, and evaluation of procurement processes and the procurement team.
  • Develop strong and positive relationships with business stakeholders and suppliers.
  • Creating and implementing policies and procedures for risk management and procurement improvement.
  • Analyzing available data to predict market trends and make more informed procurement decisions.
  • Communicating and collaborating with other departments to know what items or services are needed.
  • Finalize and approve budgets.
  • Creating detailed reports on company needs.
  • Creating budget proposals for different areas, like materials, goods, equipment, or advertising.
  • Calculating how to meet budgets or make cost-saving decisions through sourcing and data analysis.
Procurement Manager Detailed Skills Description
  • Computer literacy: Ability to handle hardware and software for procurement purposes.
  • Mathematical skills: Budgeting and finance make it advantageous to have mathematical skills as a procurement manager.
  • Communication skills: Being able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
  • Negotiation skills: Knowing how to get the best deals when it comes to bargaining.
  • Leadership skills: Knowing how to efficiently and effectively manage a group of people and make sure they run like a well-oiled machine when they handle procurement matters.
  • Presentation skills: Ability to pitch something engagingly and effectively.
  • Problem-solving: Ability to think of solutions, especially in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment.

2. Senior Procurement Specialist

A senior procurement specialist is a highly experienced professional who has specialized expertise in the field of procurement, from strategic sourcing to supply chain management. Within their company, the senior procurement specialist is responsible for leading large procurement processes, addressing risks proactively, and managing supplier relationships.

To be certified as a senior procurement specialist, professionals are required to have at least five years of experience in procurement. With their experience and knowledge, they can navigate the dynamics of procurement that help companies acquire quality goods and services.

  • Procures complex materials, equipment, and services through a computerized system, following relevant policies and regulations
  • Negotiates and prepares challenging contracts and leases for equipment, materials, and services
  • Organizes, delegates, and oversees the tasks of a designated procurement team

Salary range: $86,000 – $133,000/yr with an average of $106,000/year

Senior Procurement Specialist Job Description Template

Job Title: Senior Procurement Specialist

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A senior procurement specialist is a procurement department manager. They are responsible for all aspects of purchasing, including planning and execution of contracts, etc.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Manages the procurement department of a company and keeps it efficient and effective.
  • Oversees and helps out in all aspects of purchasing, including planning and executing contracts.
  • Oversees the procurement budget.
  • Monitors the performance of the procurement department.
  • Creates strong and positive relationships with suppliers.
  • Creates and develops innovative procurement strategies.
  • Manages multiple projects related to procurement.
  • Manages and leads procurement teams.
  • Oversees procurement processes and procedures and guides or helps out whenever necessary.
  • Oversees negotiations and contract-related situations to ensure proper processes are followed.

KPIs for this role

  • Cost Savings: Cost savings achieved through strategic procurement practices compared to budgeted costs or previous periods.
  • Supplier Performance: Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, and responsiveness criteria.
  • Contract Compliance: Monitor contract compliance of both parties to ensure that legal and company requirements are met.
  • Procurement Cycle Time: Average time taken to complete the procurement process from beginning to end.
  • Spend Under Management: Percentage of total spend actively managed and controlled by procurement and how this is being handled in terms of cost-saving.
  • Supplier Diversity: Track and improve supplier diversity to promote inclusivity and sustainability in the supply chain.
  • Procurement ROI: The return on investment (ROI) for procurement activities and processes.
  • Sourcing Strategy Effectiveness: Evaluate the effectiveness of sourcing strategies when it comes to cost savings and their value for the organization.
  • Contract Management Effectiveness: The effectiveness of contract management practices in ensuring supplier performance and compliance.
  • Risk Management: Measure the identification, assessment, and avoidance or minimization of risks in procurement activities.
  • Stakeholder Satisfaction: Satisfaction with procurement processes and outcomes within the organization.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.
  • 5-8 years of experience in procurement or a related field.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in contract management.
  • Excellent negotiation skills.
  • Project management experience.
  • Ability to manage risks effectively and efficiently.
  • Understanding of supply chain management principles and knowing how to use them to the company’s advantage.
Senior Procurement Specialist Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Manages the procurement department of a company and keeps it efficient and effective.
  • Oversees and helps out in all aspects of purchasing, including planning and executing contracts.
  • Oversees the procurement budget.
  • Monitors the performance of the procurement department.
  • Creates strong and positive relationships with suppliers.
  • Creates and develops innovative procurement strategies.
  • Manages multiple projects related to procurement.
  • Manages and leads procurement teams.
  • Oversees procurement processes and procedures and guides or helps out whenever necessary.
  • Oversees negotiations and contract-related situations to ensure proper processes are followed.
Senior Procurement Specialist Detailed Skills Description
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication to convey the needed information to whoever is concerned.
  • Negotiation: Ability to reach mutually beneficial agreements that are advantageous to the company while being as cost-effective as possible.
  • Project Management: Knowing how to plan projects and seeing them into success.
  • Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure efficiency in procurement.
  • Supplier Relationship Management: Manage supplier relationships to maximize value, quality, and performance in a long-term positive partnership.
  • Analysis: Evaluate available data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for well-informed procurement decisions and strategies.
  • Management: Lead and manage procurement teams by delegating tasks, providing guidance, and ensuring objectives are met.
  • Problem-Solving: Identify issues, find root causes, and develop solutions to address procurement challenges and improve procurement processes and procedures.
  • Contract Management: Draft, review, and manage contracts with suppliers or vendors and ensure that they comply with terms and conditions.

3. Procurement Analyst

A procurement analyst’s responsibilities are to analyze data on suppliers, products, costs, and delivery times to assess and compare variables. This enables them to determine which suppliers and products are the most suitable for the company.

Procurement analysts also communicate with suppliers, visiting distribution centers, factories, and warehouses to better understand the products and services they offer. This part of the process typically necessitates traveling and attending conferences to derive insights into all aspects of the process.

Furthermore, procurement analysts constantly study historical sales data and inventory levels, which enables them to stay updated on the factors that could directly or indirectly affect the supply chain.

  • Identifying the operational needs for supplies or materials
  • Research potential suppliers capable of providing required items or materials
  • Evaluating suppliers based on pricing, delivery times, and product quality

Salary range: $54,419 – $127,358/year with an average of $83,251/year

Procurement Analyst Job Description Template

Job Title: Procurement Analyst

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A procurement analyst is a professional responsible for assessing and choosing suppliers for a company. They assist organizations in finding suitable suppliers when external items, materials, or services are needed.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Identifying the supplies or materials needed for company operations.
  • Researching potential suppliers for required items or materials.
  • Assessing suppliers based on pricing, shipping times, and product quality.
  • Testing new items to ensure they meet quality standards.
  • Communicating with suppliers regarding purchases.
  • Negotiating prices and terms of purchase.
  • Managing procurement contracts between the company and suppliers.
  • Tracking invoices and costs through recordkeeping.
  • Reviewing costs to align with budget requirements and enhance supply chain efficiency.
  • Monitoring supply demands to maintain adequate inventory for production or operations.

KPIs for this role

  • Compliance rate: Compliance rate refers to the procurement analyst’s level of adherence to rules or regulations.
  • PO accuracy: Low purchase order (PO) accuracy results in increased operating costs.
  • Rate of emergency purchases: The emergency purchase ratio is the proportion of unplanned purchases to total purchases within a specific timeframe.
  • Supplier lead time: Supplier lead time is the duration between order receipt and shipment.
  • Spend under management: Spend under management indicates the portion of procurement spend controlled or overseen by management.
  • Procurement ROI: Procurement ROI assesses the profitability and cost-effectiveness of procurement investments.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business administration, or related field
  • Experience in supply chain management is advantageous
  • Familiarity with SAP ERP software
  • Strong organizational skills
Procurement Analyst Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Identifying the supplies or materials needed for company operations.
  • Researching potential suppliers for required items or materials.
  • Assessing suppliers based on pricing, shipping times, and product quality.
  • Testing new items to ensure they meet quality standards.
  • Communicating with suppliers regarding purchases.
  • Negotiating prices and terms of purchase.
  • Managing procurement contracts between the company and suppliers.
  • Tracking invoices and costs through recordkeeping.
  • Reviewing costs to align with budget requirements and enhance supply chain efficiency.
  • Monitoring supply demands to maintain adequate inventory for production or operations.
Procurement Analyst Detailed Skills Description
  • Analytical reasoning: Procurement analysts evaluate suppliers and product information, comparing factors like costs and shipping times.
  • Communication: They collaborate with supply chain and finance teams to determine supply needs and budget guidelines, and regularly communicate with suppliers.
  • Negotiation: Procurement analysts negotiate prices for goods or services to find the best deals.
  • Decision-making skills: They decide which products and suppliers are best for the company’s budget and objectives.
  • Technical knowledge: Procurement analysts use industry-specific knowledge about items, materials, and production processes to make informed decisions.

4. Strategic Sourcing Manager

The duties of a strategic sourcing manager involve analyzing indirect spend, which involves the purchasing of goods and services that don’t directly contribute to an end product.

Within the procurement team, a strategic sourcing manager works in the area of finance and operations management. Aside from taking the cost and quality of a product into account, strategic sourcing managers weigh the benefits and risks associated with selecting a supplier. 

  • Assessing sourcing methods and proposing enhancement strategies to senior management for endorsement
  • Examining and computing procurement expenses, and devising strategies for cost reduction
  • Making purchasing choices grounded in cost and scenario analysis, alongside monitoring market trends

Salary range: $116,153-$151,382/year with an average of $133,860/year

Strategic Sourcing Manager Job Description Template

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Manager

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A Strategic Sourcing Manager ensures strategic decision-making when it comes to sourcing. They evaluate purchasing decisions on supply, outsourcing, and procurement for the organization.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Creating and evaluating sourcing strategies and procedures and improving on them.
  • Analysis and calculation of strategies for cost reduction.
  • Using cost, analysis, scenario analysis, and market trends as the foundation of purchasing decisions.
  • Contract negotiation with key suppliers.
  • Collaborating with other departments, especially the procurement department for identification and pursuit of new supplier opportunities.
  • Conducting market searches and creating cost estimates and forecasts.
  • Hiring, training, and managing employees under the sourcing or procurement department.
  • Risk estimation and using risk-minimizing techniques while also negotiating contracts that live up to industry standards.
  • Maintaining supplier relationships and developing stronger partnerships with them.

KPIs for this role

  • Purchase Order Cycle Time: Efficiency of trimming PO cycle time.
  • Number of Purchase Orders Processed Electronically: The number of purchase orders processed electronically, as technology is increasingly a significant part of supply chain processes and keeps things less risky and more efficient.
  • Average Cost of Processing a Purchase Order: The total cost of all tasks for the efficient completion of a process order.
  • Total Cost of Ownership: The cost of each purchase for your company throughout its lifetime.
  • Cost Avoidance Metrics: The rate at which cost is minimized or avoided.
  • Spend Under Contract: The total spend made with company suppliers as per your contract agreement.
  • Total Supply Chain Costs: The amount spent on supply chain processes.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, or a related field.
  • At least 5 years of experience in a related industry.
  • Proficiency in sourcing software and willingness to learn new kinds.
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills.
  • Excellent collaboration and negotiation skills.
  • Organizational and time management skills.
  • Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
Strategic Sourcing Manager Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Creating and evaluating sourcing strategies and procedures and improving on them.
  • Analysis and calculation of strategies for cost reduction.
  • Using cost, analysis, scenario analysis, and market trends as the foundation of purchasing decisions.
  • Contract negotiation with key suppliers.
  • Collaborating with other departments, especially the procurement department for identification and pursuit of new supplier opportunities.
  • Conducting market searches and creating cost estimates and forecasts.
  • Hiring, training, and managing employees under the sourcing or procurement department.
  • Risk estimation and using risk-minimizing techniques while also negotiating contracts that live up to industry standards.
  • Maintaining supplier relationships and developing stronger partnerships with them.
Strategic Sourcing Manager Detailed Skills Description
  • Strategic thinking: Clear vision of sourcing strategies and their alignment to organizational goals and objectives.
  • Communication and Collaboration: Strong communication and collaboration skills for the building and maintaining of positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for dealing with complex sourcing scenarios.
  • Technical and functional skills: Technical and functional knowledge and skills when it comes to sourcing, especially within their industry.
  • Innovation and creativity: Have the innovation and creativity skills to find better ways of sourcing goods and services.
  • Leadership and management: Ability to lead and manage a team in various kinds of sourcing projects.

5. Purchasing Agent

Also known as buyers, purchasing agents assist procurement processes by working with purchasing managers to evaluate suppliers and negotiate business deals based on criteria such as reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Purchasing agents are solely responsible for buying the products an organization needs for its manufacturing processes or reselling.

  • Execute purchase orders from requisition through acknowledgment, ensuring price, terms, and lead‑times match contracts.
  • Monitor deliveries and expedite or defer shipments to balance inventory with demand.
  • Maintain item and vendor master data (price, MOQ, lead‑time) in the ERP or e‑procurement platform.
  • Resolve routine supplier issues—late shipments, quantity discrepancies, and credit/debit memos—escalating only complex cases.
  • Support cost‑reduction initiatives by gathering quotes and identifying alternative sources.
  • Ensure policy compliance with approved suppliers, SOX/ISO controls, and delegated spending limits.

Salary range: $45,000-$75,000/year with an average of $55,000/year

Purchasing Agent Job Description Template

Job Title: Purchasing Agent

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A  purchasing agent executes day‑to‑day buying activities that keep production lines moving and service levels intact. Reporting to a procurement or supply‑chain manager, the role issues purchase orders, negotiates price and delivery terms, tracks shipments, and resolves routine supplier issues.

Unlike strategic buyers who focus on sourcing events, purchasing agents concentrate on transactional excellence—ensuring the right materials arrive on time, at the right quality, and at the lowest total cost.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Purchase‑Order Management – Convert approved requisitions to POs, secure supplier confirmations within 24 h, and upload order docs to the ERP.
  • Supplier Coordination – Track open orders, request order‑status updates, and negotiate revised ship dates when needed.
  • Inventory Alignment – Work closely with planning/warehouse teams to prevent stock‑outs or excess inventory.
  • Data Maintenance – Update pricing, lead‑times, and delivery terms in item and vendor masters; archive obsolete items.
  • Issue Resolution – Investigate price variances, quantity mismatches, and invoice blocks; issue RMA paperwork for returns.
  • Reporting – Generate weekly open‑order, back‑order, and delivery‑performance reports; flag high‑risk items to stakeholders.
  • Policy & Compliance – Adhere to preferred‑supplier lists, spend thresholds, and documentation standards for audit readiness.
  • Continuous Improvement – Participate in Kaizen/Lean events that streamline PO cycle time and reduce process cost‑per‑order.

KPIs for this role 

  • PO Cycle Time (req. → PO issued):  Less than 8 hours to avoid delays.
  • On‑Time Delivery (OTD): At least 95% of orders delivered on confirmed dates.
  • Cost Savings Captured: Comparing baseline to negotiated price reductions.
  • Invoice Match Rate: Achieve at least 98% first-time match (three-way match, no manual adjustments).
  • Supplier Return Rate:  Ensure no more than 2% of orders returned due to quality or quantity issues.
  • Preferred‑Supplier Spend Share: Maintain at least 90% to ensure compliance and benefit from negotiated terms.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
  • 2‑4 years of purchasing or buyer experience in a manufacturing, distribution, or service environment.
  • Proficiency with ERP/P2P systems (SAP MM, Oracle, NetSuite, Coupa, or Ariba).
  • Solid grasp of incoterms, basic contract clauses, and three‑way match principles.
  • Strong Excel/Google‑Sheets skills; familiarity with Power BI or similar BI tools is a plus.
  • Negotiation and vendor‑relationship skills; able to secure price breaks and expedited delivery when necessary.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy/compliance.
Purchasing Agent Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Order Execution: Convert 30‑60 requisitions per day; transmit POs via EDI/email; file acknowledgments.
  • Expediting: Review open‑order report; call or email suppliers on late lines; update promise dates in ERP.
  • Issue Resolution: Work with AP to clear PO‑invoice mismatches (<48 h); coordinate RTVs for non‑conforming goods.
  • Data Integrity: Perform weekly audits of price and lead‑time accuracy; request supplier updates quarterly.
  • Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Attend daily stand‑ups with planners & warehouse; escalate potential stock‑outs.
  • Reporting: Publish weekly KPI dashboard (OTD, cycle time, savings); highlight red‑flag suppliers.
  • Process Improvement: Participate in 5 Why sessions to eliminate recurring errors; pilot PO automation scripts.
Purchasing Agent Detailed Skills Description
  • Process Discipline – Follows SOPs meticulously; documents deviations and corrective actions.
  • Analytical Ability – Uses pivots/VLOOKUP or simple SQL queries to analyze price variance and delivery trends.
  • Negotiation – Balances cost, quality, and service; leverages volume for price breaks.
  • Communication – Clearly conveys order requirements and changes to suppliers and internal stakeholders.
  • Problem‑Solving – Applies PDCA/5 Why to recurrent invoice blocks and late deliveries.
  • Systems Savvy – Uploads price lists, configures approval routes, and runs ad‑hoc ERP reports.
  • Compliance Orientation – Maintains full audit trail; ensures segregation of duties and signing authority limits.
  • Time Management – Prioritizes urgent lines, handles multiple suppliers, and meets tight processing SLAs.

6. Supply Chain Coordinator

A supply chain coordinator is responsible for enabling the movement of goods and services throughout the supply chain, from inventory to the final consumer. In supply chain coordination, strategies are typically put in place to help oversee supply chain functions such as storage, inventory management, transportation, and more.

Supply chain coordinators can also be viewed as managers of the supply chain, as their duties also encompass managing operations, shipping orders, negotiating shipping fees, and tracking the delivery of products.

  • Order Execution – Convert approved requisitions into purchase or transfer orders; obtain supplier acknowledgments within 24 hours.
  • Logistics Tracking – Monitor shipment status, update promise dates, and book receipts promptly in the ERP/WMS.
  • Inventory Coordination – Reconcile actual vs. system stock, flag discrepancies, and trigger cycle counts.
  • Issue Resolution – Investigate quantity/price variances, arrange returns (RMA), and clear invoice blocks.
  • Data Maintenance – Keep item masters (lead‑time, MOQ, safety stock) and vendor records current.
  • Stakeholder Communication – Provide daily order‑status reports to planners, CSRs, and warehouse leads.
  • Compliance & Documentation – Follow SOX/ISO requirements, retain complete audit trails, and enforce preferred‑supplier use. 

Salary range: $45,000-$75,000/year with an average of $55,000/year

Supply Chain Coordinator Job Description Template

Job Title: Supply Chain Coordinator

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A supply chain coordinator manages the daily flow of information, materials, and paperwork between planning, purchasing, logistics, warehousing, and customer‑service teams. The position focuses on transactional excellence, issuing POs, tracking shipments, booking receipts, updating inventory records, and resolving routine exceptions, so that orders move end‑to‑end without delays or cost overruns.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Order Management – Issue POs/TOs, upload confirmations, and monitor open‑order ageing.
  • Shipment & Receipt Tracking – Liaise with carriers and freight forwarders; ensure on‑time, in‑full (OTIF) receipts.
  • Inventory Accuracy – Coordinate cycle counts, reconcile variances, and adjust stock in ERP/WMS.
  • Supplier & Customer Interface – Respond to routine queries on order status, delivery dates, and paperwork.
  • Exception Handling – Resolve shipment delays, quality discrepancies, and invoice mismatches within 48 h.
  • Reporting & KPIs – Publish weekly dashboards (OTD, inventory accuracy, order accuracy) and propose corrective actions.
  • Continuous Improvement – Participate in Kaizen/Lean events that lower dwell time and reduce back‑orders.

KPIs for this role

  • On‑Time Delivery (OTD):  At least 95% of orders delivered on the confirmed date.
  • Inventory Accuracy:  At least 98% match between system and physical inventory.
  • Order Accuracy / Perfect Order Rate:  At least 97% to reduce returns and credits.
  • Back‑Order Rate: No more than 3% of total orders are back-ordered.
  • Cycle Count Compliance: 100% adherence to the counting schedule.
  • Cash‑to‑Cash Cycle Time: Reduce continuously each year.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business.
  • 2‑4 years of experience in supply‑chain coordination, logistics, or purchasing.
  • Working knowledge of ERP/WMS platforms (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar).
  • Proficiency in MS Excel; Power BI or Tableau exposure is a plus.
  • Familiarity with Incoterms, basic freight terms, and three‑way‑match principles.
  • Strong attention to detail and data accuracy; able to juggle multiple priorities.
  • Solid communication and customer‑service orientation.
Supply Chain Coordinator Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Order Processing: Convert 30–50 requisitions/day; transmit POs via EDI/email; file acknowledgments.
  • Expediting & De‑expediting: Review open‑order report; chase late shipments; adjust delivery schedules to match demand.
  • Receiving & Documentation: Book goods receipts within 24 hours of delivery; archive packing slips and BOLs.
  • Inventory Control: Trigger cycle counts for A‑category items; investigate variances >1 %.
  • Supplier Collaboration: Join weekly calls to review OTIF, backlog, and quality alerts; log corrective actions.
  • Invoice Resolution: Clear quantity/price blocks with AP; reconcile debit/credit notes.
  • Data Maintenance: Update lead times/MOQs quarterly; cleanse inactive SKUs; test ERP patches.
  • Reporting: Update lead‑times/MOQs quarterly; cleanse inactive SKUs; test ERP patches.
  • Kaizen Participation: Map current process flow, identify waste, and pilot barcode‑scanning improvements.
Supply Chain Coordinator Detailed Skills Description
  • Process Discipline – Documents SOPs and flags deviations for corrective action.
  • Analytical Thinking – Uses pivots/VLOOKUP or basic SQL to analyze delivery and inventory trends.
  • Communication & Influence – Keeps planners and CSRs informed; secures realistic ETAs from suppliers.
  • Problem‑Solving – Applies 5 Why or PDCA to recurring back‑orders and invoice mismatches.
  • Systems Savvy – Uploads price lists, maintains master data, and runs ad‑hoc ERP/WMS reports.
  • Compliance Mindset – Maintains audit‑ready documentation, segregation of duties, and SOX/ISO controls.
  • Time Management – Prioritizes high‑impact orders, meets daily processing SLAs and balances multiple tasks. 

7. Vendor Management Specialist

The role of a vendor management specialist is to be the point of contact between businesses and their vendors to coordinate payments, manage expenditures, and maintain communication.

A vendor management specialist is required to have skills in account management and customer service. This enables them to collaborate with vendors to reach agreeable terms that are both efficient and low-cost.

  • Vendor managers oversee and maintain relationships between your organization and vendors/partners
  • They establish standards and source the best available vendors
  • Streamline the administration of vendor management procedures, tools, and systems

Salary range: $31,000-$133,000/year with an average of $65,332/year

Vendor Management Specialist Job Description Template

Job Title: Vendor Management Specialist

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A vendor management specialist is responsible for ensuring that supplier obligations are reflected in company activities. They also focus on day-to-day operations and work with suppliers to achieve company goals.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Builds and maintains good relationships with vendors or suppliers.
  • Negotiates and influences vendors to get the best contract terms possible.
  • Checks vendor quality and capability and assists them if they run into any problems.
  • Coordinates with other staff to determine which vendors or suppliers are needed while ensuring that said vendors hold their end of the contract.
  • Scouts for new vendors or suppliers and assesses their capabilities and benefits.
  • Observes market trends and supplier capability to find cost-saving opportunities.
  • Manages the process of vendor selection and evaluates vendor proposals to determine the best one.
  • Maintains organized and accurate records of all supplier-related things.

KPIs for this role

  • Vendor Performance Scorecard: Measures vendor performance of chosen vendors to ensure their quality.
  • Cost Savings: Cost savings that are achieved through effective vendor management practices.
  • Vendor Compliance Rate: The percentage of vendors that comply with company policies and processes.
  • Vendor Relationship Health: Strength and effectiveness of vendor relationships based on the satisfaction of both parties.
  • Contract Compliance: The compliance of vendors with contract terms and legal policies.
  • Vendor Satisfaction: the satisfaction of vendors with the organization’s practices and processes. 

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, supply chain management, or other related field.
  • Proven experience in vendor management, procurement, or a related field.
  • Strong negotiation skills.
  • Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with vendors.
  • Excellent cerebral and written communication skills.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Knowledge of contract management principles and practices.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office software as well as other procurement software.
Vendor Management Specialist Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Builds and maintains good relationships with vendors or suppliers.
  • Negotiates and influences vendors to get the best contract terms possible.
  • Checks vendor quality and capability and assists them if they run into any problems.
  • Coordinates with other staff to determine which vendors or suppliers are needed while ensuring that said vendors hold their end of the contract.
  • Scouts for new vendors or suppliers and assesses their capabilities and benefits.
  • Observes market trends and supplier capability to find cost-saving opportunities.
  • Manages the process of vendor selection and evaluates vendor proposals to determine the best one.
  • Maintains organized and accurate records of all supplier-related things.
Vendor Management Specialist Detailed Skills Description
  • Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate terms and conditions to gain favorable outcomes and cost-saving opportunities.
  • Relationship Management: Building and maintaining relationships with vendors to ensure effective and efficient collaboration and communication.
  • Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills with various parties involved.
  • Analytical Skills: Analysis of data and information to gain strategic advantage wherever possible in the vendor management process.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to solve vendor-related problems by identifying problems and their solutions.
  • Contract Management: The managing of supplier contacts from their drafting to their maintenance.
  • Market Research: Identifying potential vendors and assessing their capabilities to benefit the company.
  • Vendor Evaluation: Evaluation of vendor performance and maintaining vendor quality.

8. Contract Administrator

In procurement, contract administrators play an important role in fostering positive relationships with suppliers while maintaining financial value. The responsibilities associated with contract administration involve drafting, negotiating, editing, and reviewing, which are essential steps in closing deals effectively.

Contract administrators are typically required to have experience in skills like vendor communication, contract negotiation, analytics evaluation, and project management. Moreover, while contract administrators are not required to have a background in law, they ideally should have a firm understanding of applicable regulations and contracting guidelines.

  • Engage in contract negotiations with both internal and external business partners
  • Evaluate and update current contracts
  • Create and prepare sales and purchase contracts

Salary range: $47,355 – $106,219/year with an average of $70,923/year

Contract Administrator Job Description Template

Job Title: Contract Administrator

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A contract administrator ensures that all company contracts comply with legal requirements and effectively support the company’s objectives. They are responsible for preparing, negotiating, and reviewing contracts, ensuring compliance, and analyzing potential risks.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Prepare contracts for sales and purchases.
  • Negotiate contract terms with both internal and external business partners.
  • Review and revise existing contracts.
  • Clarify terms and conditions to managers and other parties involved.
  • Ensure employee understanding and adherence to company contracts.
  • Analyze risks associated with contract terms.
  • Stay informed about legislative changes and collaborate with the legal department when necessary.
  • Ensure compliance with all contract deadlines and conditions, such as payments and deliveries.
  • Maintain a well-organized system of both physical and digital contract records.
  • Develop language standards for new and existing contracts.

KPIs for this role

  • Number of contracts: The total count of both active and inactive contracts across the organization.
  • Contract value: The monetary value of a contract throughout its lifecycle.
  • Contract renewal rate: The count of contract renewals within a specific period.
  • Contract risks: Anticipated challenges, like non-compliance and terminations, arise from contract terms.
  • Contractual obligations: The level of adherence to contractual commitments.
  • Contract approval time: The duration from contract initiation to approval.
  • Annual Contract Value (ACV): The average annual monetary value of contracts.
  • Contract classification: Classification of contracts based on their nature, such as procurement, sales, or partnerships.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Proven experience in roles such as Contract Administrator or Contract Manager.
  • Understanding of legal aspects related to contracts.
  • Familiarity with accounting practices.
  • Strong writing skills.
  • Detail-oriented, with a knack for error detection.
  • Excellent analytical and organizational abilities.
  • Ability to interact with individuals at different levels, including staff, managers, and external partners.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration; additional legal qualifications are advantageous.
Contract Administrator Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Prepare contracts for sales and purchases.
  • Negotiate contract terms with both internal and external business partners.
  • Review and revise existing contracts.
  • Clarify terms and conditions to managers and other parties involved.
  • Ensure employee understanding and adherence to company contracts.
  • Analyze risks associated with contract terms.
  • Stay informed about legislative changes and collaborate with the legal department when necessary.
  • Ensure compliance with all contract deadlines and conditions, such as payments and deliveries.
  • Maintain a well-organized system of both physical and digital contract records.
  • Develop language standards for new and existing contracts.
Contract Administrator Detailed Skills Description
  • Contract Preparation: Contract administrators prepare contracts to meet the specific requirements of both parties and present them in clear language so that all parties fully understand the document.
  • Internal processes management: Contract administrators oversee contract review and approval processes, serving as a central contact point to address any employee concerns.
  • Acting as an intermediary: As intermediaries, contract administrators inquire about and clarify clauses, as well as gather information about factors influencing prices or conditions proposed by external parties during negotiations.
  • Monitoring and upholding contracts: After all parties have signed an agreement, contract administrators oversee projects to verify that the other parties adhere to all agreed-upon terms and conditions.

9. Category Manager

As sales professionals, category managers are responsible for formulating strategies that enable product categorization. Category managers work directly with sales teams to analyze consumer preferences and market trends. Based on their analyses, they explore ways to boost sales and maximize market opportunities.

It is typically necessary for category managers to have extensive product knowledge. They harness this knowledge when working with sales teams and communicating with clients. Moreover, category management necessitates leadership skills that can assist product and sales teams in navigating techniques associated with sales and marketing.

  • Oversees a specific category of goods and services
  • Responsible for managing and formulating strategic plans, as well as category plans, offering insights into the product category
  • Handle supply chain relationships relevant to their specific responsibilities

Salary range: $91,000-$140,000/year with an average of $112,000/year

Category Manager Job Description Template

Job Title: Category Manager

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

The lead category manager is responsible for overall category performance. They develop innovative strategies and collaborate with various teams to improve product categories and meet business goals.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Data analysis and identification of industry and consumer trends.
  • Create and develop long-term strategies for product category growth.
  • Create and implement exit strategies for underperforming products.
  • Build positive and long-lasting relationships with suppliers or vendors for better service quality for lower pricing.
  • Keep track of inventory and replenish stocks when necessary.
  • Position product categories to maximize visibility and sales.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with marketing teams to establish competitive pricing and promotional activities.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with suppliers and customers to expand product categories.
  • Forecast product demand to ensure inventory sustainability and efficiency.
  • Manage budgets and revenue targets for the category.

KPIs for this role

  • Category Turnover: The amount of money earned from category sales over a specific time.
  • Profit by Category: The gross profit generated by each category.
  • Margin: Gross margin for each category.
  • GMROI (Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment): Return on investment when it comes to inventory and how it’s managed.
  • Inventory Turnover: How many times inventory is sold and replaced within a certain time.
  • Product Availability: Percentage of times that a product is in stock and available for customers.
  • New Product Introductions: Successful introduction of new products within a category.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Percentage of time when customer needs and expectations are met.
  • Category Growth: The growth of each category through identifying opportunities for strategic investment.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.
  • May require Certified Professional Category Manager (CPCM) certification.
  • Proven experience as a category manager or similar role for at least 3-6 years.
  • Good working knowledge of category management, marketing, and sales principles
  • Knowledgeable of data analysis and forecasting methods.
  • Proficient in MS Office software and capable of learning new software if needed.
  • Analytical and strategic when making decisions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and exceptional people skills.
Category Manager Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Data analysis and identification of industry and consumer trends.
  • Create and develop long-term strategies for product category growth.
  • Create and implement exit strategies for underperforming products.
  • Build positive and long-lasting relationships with suppliers or vendors for better service quality for lower pricing.
  • Keep track of inventory and replenish stocks when necessary.
  • Position product categories to maximize visibility and sales.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with marketing teams to establish competitive pricing and promotional activities.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with suppliers and customers to expand product categories.
  • Forecast product demand to ensure inventory sustainability and efficiency.
  • Manage budgets and revenue targets for the category.
Category Manager Detailed Skills Description
  • Communication: Can convey information clearly and effectively.
  • Analytical: Excellent data analysis for informed decision-making.
  • Interpersonal skills: Ability to interact effectively with others and develop [positive and long-lasting relationships.
  • Leadership: Capacity to guide and motivate a group of people to attain a common goal.
  • Negotiation: Skill in reaching agreements that give benefits and advantages to the organization while being cost-efficient.
  • Strategy: Ability to develop and implement effective plans to meet company goals.
  • Supplier management: Management of relationships with suppliers and keeping track of supplier quality.
  • Business acumen: Understanding of business principles and practices that keep category management efficient and effective.
  • Problem-solving: Ability to identify issues and develop solutions, especially in a high-pressure environment.
  • Project management: Skill in planning, organizing, and overseeing various projects and completing them on time.

10. Procurement Operations Supervisor

The procurement operations supervisor oversees the day-to-day Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process, ensuring purchases are placed, received, and paid accurately, on time, and at the lowest total cost. 

The role leads a small team of tactical buyers, resolves supplier escalations, and enforces policy and regulatory compliance. 

Core focus areas include shortening the requisition-to-invoice cycle, driving spend to preferred suppliers, and leading continuous-improvement projects.

  • Oversees end-to-end procurement operations—from requisition and PO creation to goods receipt and invoice settlement—for all goods and services.
  • Responsible for defining and executing P2P processes and performance targets, ensuring policy compliance, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement.
  • Manages day-to-day supplier, finance, and logistics interfaces, resolving escalations swiftly to secure on-time, in-full deliveries

Salary range: $75,000-$105,000/year with an average of $89,000/year

Procurement Operations Supervisor Job Description Template

Job Title: Procurement Operations Supervisor

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

Key Responsibilities: 

  • P2P Process Control – Monitor requisition → PO → GRN → invoice flow; clear exceptions within service-level targets.
  • Team Leadership – Assign workload, coach 3–8 buyers, conduct quarterly performance reviews.
  • Policy & Compliance – Enforce spend limits, preferred-supplier use, and SOX / ISO controls.
  • System Administration – Maintain catalogs, approval workflows, and user rights in ERP/e-procurement.
    Supplier Issue Resolution – Expedite late shipments, manage returns, and reconcile debit/credit notes.
  • Reporting & KPIs – Produce weekly dashboards (cycle time, first-time-match, price variance) and recommend actions.
  • Continuous Improvement – Lead Kaizen / Lean projects that lower cost-per-PO and touch time.
  • Budget Support – Track savings leakage, validate price updates, and assist Finance with accruals and forecasts.

KPIs for this role

  • PO Cycle Time: Average hours from requisition to approved PO.
  • First-Time-Match Rate: Percentage of invoices matched without manual adjustments.
  • Preferred-Supplier Compliance: Share of spend with approved vendors.
  • On-Time GRN Posting: Percentage of receipts booked within 48 hours of delivery.
  • Process Cost per PO: Total processing cost divided by the number of POs.
  • Savings Leakage: Percentage of negotiated savings that are not realized.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
  • 4–7 years in operational procurement; 1–2 years in a supervisory role preferred.
  • Advanced knowledge of ERP / P2P platforms (SAP MM, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba).
  • Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt is a plus.
  • Strong analytics (Excel / Power BI) and presentation skills.
  • Solid grasp of three-way match, basic contract terms, and internal controls.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation abilities in English.
Procurement Operations Supervisor Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Daily Workflow Management: Distribute requisitions, balance buyer workload, and escalate urgent buys.
  • Exception Handling: Investigate PO-invoice mismatches; work with Accounts Payable to clear invoice blocks.
  • System & Data Integrity: Update master data (lead time, MOQ, pricing); test new ERP releases.
  • Supplier & Cross-Functional Coordination: Host weekly calls with key suppliers to review OTIF and back-order status. Partner with Planning, Warehouse, and Quality to mitigate shortages or quality issues.
  • Continuous Improvement & Training: Map current processes, run Kaizen events, and train new team members on SOPs and systems.
Procurement Operations Supervisor Detailed Skills Description
  • Process Orientation: Documents SOPs, tracks deviations, initiates corrective actions.
  • Analytical Thinking: Uses pivots / SQL / BI to pinpoint root causes of delays and cost overruns.
  • Leadership: Sets goals, gives feedback, and motivates the team.
  • Communication & Influence: Articulates priorities to stakeholders; negotiates realistic delivery dates with suppliers.
  • Problem-Solving: Applies 5 Why / PDCA to recurring invoice blocks and implements preventive fixes.
  • System Expertise: Configures approval chains, uploads catalogs, and runs ad hoc ERP queries.
  • Compliance Mindset: Maintains audit trails and segregation of duties.
  • Supplier Management: Tracks OTIF, leads corrective-action plans with vendors.
  • Budget Awareness: Flags unannounced price changes and monitors variance vs. standard cost.
  • Project Management: Plans ERP upgrades, manages milestones, coordinates cross-functional resources.

11. Global Sourcing Analyst

Global sourcing analysts are specialists who equip businesses with the resources to bridge gaps between global sourcing functions and supply chains. International sourcing allows companies to leverage benefits such as low-cost labor, timely production processes, and high-volume manufacturing.

The duties of a global sourcing analyst involve managing partnerships with global suppliers, diversifying the sourcing pool, and managing tenders with suppliers to optimize the sourcing process.

  • Develop and oversee RFP processes or targeted negotiations.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and manage a repository of category-level information.
  • Ensure a balanced approach to source selection options, including factory-specific, country-specific, and open-bid pricing models, to align with corporate objectives.

Salary range: $77,000-$110,000/year with an average of $90,650/year

Global Sourcing Analyst Job Description Template

Job Title: Sourcing Analyst

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

As a sourcing analyst, you track market trends and pricing changes closely. Even minor fluctuations can significantly impact profitability and must be monitored diligently.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Lead and manage RFP processes and negotiations.
  • Create and maintain PowerPoint presentations and category information repository.
  • Balance source selection options to meet corporate goals.
  • Facilitate the timely development and commercialization of seasonal product categories.
  • Drive costing process and collaborate with team and liaison offices.
  • Engage stakeholders to understand business requirements and highlight Procurement’s value.
  • Develop sourcing strategy options and implement approved strategies.
  • Contribute to developing RFIs, RFPs, source plans, contracts, and agreements.
  • Support continuous improvement projects with Category Managers.
  • Map processes and conduct process cost analysis with Category Managers.

KPIs for this role

  • Number of Suppliers: Sees the ability of the sourcing analyst to provide/maintain enough suppliers to ensure business continuity, including strategic redundancies as part of your plan to minimize or avoid disruptions.
  • Quality Performance Rating: When a sourcing analyst ensures supplier product and service quality.
  • On-Time Delivery: How the sourcing analyst ensures the timeliness of shipments.
  • Supplier Lead Time: Effectiveness of sourcing analyst to measure the amount of time between an order being placed and its arrival at your dock or door.
  • Compliance and Risk Assessment: The ability of the sourcing analyst to ensure the vendor complies with all industry standards and legal requirements as well as their contractual obligations.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Strong desire to succeed and advance quickly within the company.
  • Proven skills in negotiation and project planning.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Business/Administration, Engineering, Education, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Accounting, Management, Mathematics, Manufacturing, Apparel Merchandising, or Business Administration OR equivalent experience in Costing and Sourcing.
  • Ability to thrive under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Conduct benchmarking against peer companies and other industries.
  • Ensure suppliers meet quality and regulatory requirements by taking appropriate action when deficiencies are identified.
Global Sourcing Analyst Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Lead and manage RFP processes and negotiations.
  • Create and maintain PowerPoint presentations and category information repository.
  • Balance source selection options to meet corporate goals.
  • Facilitate timely development and commercialization of seasonal product categories.
  • Drive costing process and collaborate with team and liaison offices.
  • Engage stakeholders to understand business requirements and highlight Procurement’s value.
  • Develop sourcing strategy options and implement approved strategies.
  • Contribute to developing RFIs, RFPs, source plans, contracts, and agreements.
  • Support continuous improvement projects with Category Managers.
  • Map processes and conduct process cost analysis with Category Managers.
Global Sourcing Analyst Detailed Skills Description
  • Excel: Excel is essential for Sourcing Analysts as it helps organize and analyze data, enabling informed decision-making and strategy optimization in procurement.
  • SQL: SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language used to manage and manipulate relational databases, allowing Sourcing Analysts to efficiently handle data for supplier analysis and procurement.
  • Negotiation: Negotiation, for a Sourcing Analyst, involves strategic discussions with suppliers to reach agreements on pricing, terms, and conditions for the organization’s benefit.
  • Market Analysis: Market analysis for Sourcing Analysts involves evaluating market trends, supplier capabilities, costs, and competition to inform procurement strategies and improve sourcing decisions.
  • Supplier Evaluation: Sourcing Analysts conduct supplier evaluations to assess and select suppliers based on cost, quality, reliability, and service to meet the organization’s standards.
  • Cost Reduction: Cost reduction in sourcing refers to strategically lowering expenses in acquiring goods and services without compromising quality, aiming to enhance a company’s profitability.
  • Risk Management: Risk management for Sourcing Analysts involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing potential risks in sourcing strategies and developing plans to minimize their impact on supply chains or vendor relations.

12. E-Procurement Specialist

The e‑procurement specialist owns the organization’s digital Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P) toolset, configuring catalog, approval flows, supplier connections and analytics, to maximize touchless transactions, policy compliance and savings realization. 

Acting as the system “product owner,” the role supports buyers and suppliers, troubleshoots integration issues and leads automation projects that shrink cycle times and raise adoption. 

  • Maintain end‑to‑end e‑procurement system (catalog, punch‑outs, supplier portals, approval chains).
  • Drive user adoption and preferred‑supplier compliance through training and change‑management.
  • Monitor electronic PO → invoice flow, targeting 90 % + touchless processing.
  • Enable suppliers on EDI / cXML, resolve integration defects and price mismatches.
  • Analyze spend and process KPIs; publish dashboards and recommend improvements.
  • Lead automation pilots (e.g., smart‐forms, robotic invoice capture) and upgrades.

Salary range: $78,000-$105,000/year with an average of $90,000/year

E-Procurement Specialist Job Description Template

Job Title: E‑Procurement Specialist

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

Key Responsibilities: 

  • System Administration – Configure catalog, punch‑out sites, approval workflows and user roles in Ariba / Coupa / Jaggaer.
  • Supplier Enablement – On‑board vendors to the portal; manage EDI / cXML connectivity and test transactions.
  • Process Monitoring – Track requisition → PO → invoice touchless rates; clear exceptions inside SLA.
  • Data Integrity – Maintain item masters, pricing, UNSPSC codes and GL mappings; run mass uploads.
  • Training & Support – Deliver user training, create job aids, and serve as Tier‑2 help‑desk for P2P issues.
  • Reporting – Produce weekly KPI dashboards; analyze root causes of delays, maverick spend or price variance.
  • Compliance & Audit – Enforce policy rules, SOX controls and segregation of duties; prepare audit evidence.
  • Continuous Improvement – Lead Lean/Kaizen events to boost electronic coverage and cut cost‑per‑transaction.

KPIs for this role

  • Electronic PO Adoption: Percentage of POs placed via e-procurement (goal ≥ 95%).
  • Touchless Invoice Rate: Percentage of invoices matched/posted without manual input.
  • Catalog Coverage: Percentage of addressable spend available through the catalog.
  • Avg. Requisition Approval Time: Hours from submission to PO release.
  • Supplier Portal Adoption: Percentage of active suppliers transacting electronically.
  • Process Cost per Transaction: P2P cost divided by the number of electronic POs/invoices.
  • Compliance Rate: Percentage of spend with preferred vendors.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelors in Supply Chain, Business Administration, IT or similar.
    3–5 years’ procurement or P2P system experience; prior e‑procurement implementation a plus.
  • Proficiency with one or more suites (SAP Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer, Oracle iProcurement).
  • Working knowledge of EDI, cXML, punch‑out, three‑way match and basic contract terms.
  • Strong Excel/SQL/Power BI skills; ability to build KPI dashboards.
  • Project management and change management capabilities (Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt desirable).
  • Excellent communication in English; able to train end‑users and influence suppliers.
E-Procurement Specialist Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Catalog Management – Create a hosted/punch‑out catalog, map UNSPSC codes, and review price updates monthly.
  • Workflow Configuration – Build multi‑level approval chains, test rule logic, and deploy updates with zero downtime.
  • Integration Support – Troubleshoot PO/ASN/invoice IDoc or cXML failures; liaise with IT and vendors to apply fixes.
  • Supplier Enablement Campaigns – Segment suppliers, schedule webinars, issue connection guides, and track go‑live status.
  • Exception Resolution – Investigate PO‑invoice mismatches; coordinate with AP and suppliers to clear blocks within 48 h.
  • Spend & Compliance Analytics – Use BI tools and SQL queries to identify maverick spend, contract leakage,e and late approvals.
  • Upgrade & Roll‑out Projects – Serve as work‑stream lead for new modules (eAuction, Contract Lifecycle Mgmt.), create UAT scripts, manage cut‑over.
  • Documentation & Audit Readiness – Maintain SOPs, risk‑control matrices and evidence folders for SOX / ISO audits.
E-Procurement Specialist Detailed Skills Description
  • System Expertise: Deep hands‑on configuration of catalog, workflows, supplier connectivity.
  • Analytical Thinking: Leverages pivots/SQL to spot spend leakage and approval bottlenecks.
  • Process Orientation: Maps “as‑is” flows, documents deviations, drives corrective actions.
  • Change Management: Crafts communication plans, trains 100 + users during roll‑outs.
  • Supplier Collaboration: Guides vendors through portal onboarding; negotiates SLA for ASN/EDI.
  • Compliance Mindset: Applies audit controls, monitors segregation of duties, retains logs.
  • Project Management: Builds charters, manages timelines and cross‑functional resources.

13. Procurement Director

As the individual in charge, a procurement director is tasked with purchasing supplies, formulating policies, and maintaining partnerships with vendors to improve a company’s efficiency. The duties of a procurement director involve settling supply disputes, managing procurement budgets, reviewing supply quality, and optimizing cost structures.

The role of procurement director requires an organized work style and leadership skills that allow them to oversee the work of procurement teams while handling other aspects of the procurement process. Apart from this, the procurement director is also in charge of creating reports for company superiors.

  • Stay informed about market trends, including current prices and reasonable rates for goods
  • Develop policies and procedures for purchasing goods efficiently, honestly, economically, and productively for the supply chain
  • Define key guidelines for approving purchase orders, establish purchasing policies, manage inventory, budget for materials, and continually assess stock needs, capabilities, and account balances

Salary range: $174,800-$226,900/year with an average of $198,300/year

Procurement Director Job Description Template

Job Title: Procurement Director

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A procurement director is responsible for developing and implementing procurement policies. They direct and guide other procurement professionals within the organization to make procurement policies and procedures more efficient and effective overall.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Maintains good working knowledge of the industry, market trends, current prices, and other significant data for the development of procurement strategies.
  • Plan procurement policies and procedures to ensure efficient and productive procurement of goods and services.
  • Establish essential guidelines for things like approving purchase orders, setting purchasing policies, managing inventory, budgeting for materials,  etc. while also considering stock requirements, skills, and account balances.
  • Monitor, review, and analyze bids and quotes with suppliers, including the negotiation of service agreements and contracts.
  • Oversee sources for purchasing supplies and ensure that they maintain the company budget and streamline costs.
  • Finding vendors suitable for the company’s needs that meet legal and company requirements.
  • Maintaining communication with vendors and building positive and long-lasting relationships with them.
  • Negotiating supply contracts, settling supply disputes, and identifying risks to supply operations and avoiding or minimizing them.
  • Reviewing supply quality and prices and making sure the information is up-to-date.
  • Monitoring and managing company inventory.
  • Developing cost-improvement plans and implementing them to ensure the efficiency of procurement processes.
  • Creating procurement and budget reports for superiors.
  • Working with other teams to achieve procurement goals.
  • Maintaining the procurement budget and minimizing and avoiding cost wherever possible while maintaining procurement and product quality.

KPIs for this role

  • Cost Savings: Total cost savings achieved through procurement activities compared to the budget or baseline.
  • Spend Under Management: Percentage of total spend that is actively managed and controlled by the procurement department.
  • Supplier Performance: Supplier performance quality is due to constant evaluation and positive supplier relations.
  • Contract Compliance: Monitor and ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions.
  • Procurement Cycle Time: Average time it takes to complete the procurement process.
  • Supplier Diversity: Maintain and manage supplier diversity to promote inclusivity and resilience in the supply chain.
  • Procurement ROI: The return on investment (ROI) for procurement activities.
  • Sourcing Strategy Effectiveness: The effectiveness of sourcing strategies in achieving cost savings and value for the organization.
  • Contract Management Effectiveness: Effectiveness of contract management and maintenance practices.
  • Risk Management: Measure the identification, assessment, and minimization or avoidance of risks in procurement activities.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or relevant field.
  • Previous experience in the field with at least 7-10 years of experience.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent and firm leadership and management skills.
  • Extensive field knowledge of procurement.
  • Ability to direct others according to company standards.
  • Excellent multitasking and organizational skills.
Procurement Director Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Maintains good working knowledge of the industry, market trends, current prices, and other significant data for the development of procurement strategies.
  • Plan procurement policies and procedures to ensure efficient and productive procurement of goods and services.
  • Establish essential guidelines for things like approving purchase orders, setting purchasing policies, managing inventory, budgeting for materials,  etc. while also considering stock requirements, skills, and account balances.
  • Monitor, review, and analyze bids and quotes with suppliers, including the negotiation of service agreements and contracts.
  • Oversee sources for purchasing supplies and ensure that they maintain the company budget and streamline costs.
  • Finding vendors suitable for company needs that meet legal and company requirements.
  • Maintaining communication with vendors and building positive and long-lasting relationships with them.
  • Negotiating supply contracts, settling supply disputes, and dentifying risks to supply operations and avoiding or minimizing them.
  • Reviewing supply quality and prices and making sure the information is up-to-date.
  • Monitoring and managing company inventory.
  • Developing cost-improvement plans and implementing them to ensure the efficiency of procurement processes.
  • Creating procurement and budget reports for superiors.
  • Working with other teams to achieve procurement goals.
  • Maintaining the procurement budget and minimizing and avoiding cost wherever possible while maintaining procurement and product quality.
Procurement Director Detailed Skills Description
  • Analytical skills: Procurement directors should be able to analyze available data to make procurement processes more efficient.
  • Conflict resolution skills: Can resolve and deescalate conflicts when they arise.
  • Leadership skills: Ability to manage other procurement professionals and ensure they meet company requirements.
  • Accounting skills: Management of budgeting for supplies and procurement costs.
  • Industry knowledge: Have up-to-date working knowledge of market trends and about the details of procured goods and services.
  • Strategic thinking: Ability to develop and implement procurement strategies while ensuring that it aligns with company standards.
  • Vendor management: Skills in selecting, negotiating with, and managing suppliers to ensure the best quality for the lowest cost.
  • Contract management: Ability to draft, review, and manage supplier contracts.
  • Communication skills: Effective verbal and written communication.
  • Risk management: Ability to identify and avoid or minimize risks within the procurement process.
  • Compliance: Ensure compliance to procurement policies, regulations, and ethical standards.
  • Project management: Ability to oversee multiple procurement projects from start to finish.
  • Decision-making: Making informed decisions based on data and analysis to achieve procurement objectives.
  • Innovation: Continuously seek and implement creative procurement practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

14. Contract Negotiation Specialist

In the context of procurement, a contract negotiation specialist is in charge of evaluating contract agreements. These specialists focus on negotiating terms with suppliers, settling contract disputes, and drafting contract documents.

Contract negotiation specialists act as mediators for issues or disputes associated with contract management. They typically have specialized expertise in negotiation processes, communication skills, and presentation capabilities.

  • Engage in negotiations for contract agreements regarding products and services
  • Evaluate contractor performance to determine necessary amendments to current contracts
  • Draft and revise contracts between the company and prospective clients

Salary range: $86,050 – $108,768/year with an average of $96,511/year

Contract Negotiation Specialist Job Description Template

Job Title: Contract Specialist

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A contract specialist is responsible for drafting and reviewing contracts between companies and suppliers of products or services. Their duties include drafting and editing contracts, communicating with vendors, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Handle breaches of contracts promptly.
  • Act as the primary contact for external contracting representatives.
  • Create and execute efficient procurement proposals.
  • Research regulations to ensure contract compliance with laws.
  • Collaborate with clients to ensure contract terms are fulfilled per regulations.

KPIs for this role

  • Duration of contract management lifecycle: The length of time a contract management lifecycle lasts can indicate how effectively the contract was managed.
  • Close rates: This measures how many deals a contract specialist successfully closes and how many they don’t.
  • Contract value: Tracking the value of contracts is another important metric in contract management.
  • Contract risk: Contract management KPIs should include tracking contract risk and how effectively it is mitigated.
  • Approval times: It’s also important to track how long it takes for a contract to be approved.
  • Missed contract milestones: Contract milestones are a useful measure to assess the success of the contract management process.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Demonstrated experience in a Contracts Specialist role or similar position.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Thorough understanding of procurement regulations, contract documents, and legal specifications.
  • Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
  • Capability to address client complaints and issues effectively.
  • Relevant training and certifications in Contracts Specialist functions.
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, accounting, finance, economics, or a similar field
Contract Negotiation Specialist Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Handle breaches of contracts promptly.
  • Act as the primary contact for external contracting representatives.
  • Create and execute efficient procurement proposals.
  • Research regulations to ensure contract compliance with laws.
  • Collaborate with clients to ensure contract terms are fulfilled per regulations.
Contract Negotiation Specialist Detailed Skills Description
  • Interpersonal Skills: Contract specialists play a crucial role as representatives of their organization. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential for securing favorable, long-term contracts.
  • Writing Skills: Clarity, adherence to legal and industry standards, and compliance with regulations are vital in contract writing for contract specialists.
  • Financial Acumen: A strong understanding of business finance is necessary for contract specialists to assess whether a contract opportunity aligns with the organization’s financial goals.
  • Analytical Skills: Contract specialists should be adept at researching industry trends, regulatory changes, and alternative contract options to make informed decisions for their organization.
  • Negotiation Skills: Evaluating proposals, negotiating prices and terms, and handling contract negotiations are central to the role of contract specialists.

15. Procurement Coordinator

A procurement coordinator specializes in making sure the procurement process is organized and aligned with the company’s objectives. Their primary duties include contract administration as well as identifying and selecting the right products and services.

A procurement coordinator needs to have robust project management skills as well as multi-tasking skills. Additionally, procurement coordinators streamline purchasing processes and help reduce costs, which effectively also helps them close the best deals.

  • Convert approved requisitions into accurate purchase orders and obtain timely supplier confirmations.
  • Monitor open orders, expedite late shipments, and update delivery dates in the ERP.
  • Maintain item, supplier, and price master data to secure data integrity.
  • Reconcile delivery, quality, or invoice discrepancies with Warehouse, Quality, and Accounts Payable.
  • Compile weekly reports on PO status, spend by category, and basic procurement KPIs.
  • Support senior buyers with RFQs, simple negotiations, and contract file maintenance.

Salary range: $60,000-$85,000/year with an average of $70,000/year

Procurement Coordinator Job Description Template

Job Title: Procurement Coordinator

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

The procurement coordinator executes the day‑to‑day purchasing workflow, creating requisitions, preparing purchase orders, chasing acknowledgements, and tracking receipts, to make sure the right materials arrive on time and at the agreed price. 

Sitting at the center of data, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, the role updates ERP master data, resolves routine issues, and generates basic spend and KPI reports that feed management decisions. 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • PO Management – Convert requisitions into POs, send to suppliers, and log acknowledgements.
  • Order Tracking – Chase suppliers for confirmed dates, update promise dates, and escalate potential delays.
  • Data Maintenance – Update lead times, MOQs, and prices in ERP; ensure correct GL and cost‑centre coding.
  • Issue Resolution – Investigate quantity/price variances, arrange returns or credit notes, and close PO/invoice blocks within SLA.
  • Supplier Communication – Serve as the first point of contact for routine queries, documentation, and certificates of conformance.
  • Reporting & KPIs – Prepare weekly open‑order reports, spend summaries, and KPI dashboards for cycle time and on‑time receipt.
  • Continuous Improvement Support – Participate in 5S / Kaizen events to streamline ordering steps and reduce manual touches.

KPIs for this role

  • PO Cycle Time: Hours from requisition approval to PO release—ensures agility.
  • Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD): Percentage of orders delivered on or before the confirmed date.
  • Order Confirmation Time: Average hours for suppliers to acknowledge POs.
  • Price/Invoice Match Rate: Percentage of invoices matched without rework.
  • Data Accuracy Score: Percentage of item records with complete and up-to-date attributes.
  • Emergency PO Rate: Percentage of spend placed outside the standard process—indicates planning gaps.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
  • 2–4 years’ purchasing or supply‑chain administration experience.
  • Working knowledge of an ERP/MRP system (SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics, NetSuite, etc.).
  • Proficiency with Excel (lookups, pivots) and familiarity with basic reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau).
  • Solid understanding of Incoterms, basic contract clauses, and three‑way match principles.
  • Strong written and verbal communication in English; able to liaise effectively with suppliers and internal teams.
  • Organised, detail‑oriented, and comfortable juggling multiple priorities.
Procurement Coordinator Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Requisition Review & Conversion – Check coding, quantities, and required dates; create POs with correct terms and attachments.
  • Expediting & De‑expediting – Issue reminder notices, negotiate expedited freight when justified, and update stakeholders on revised ETAs.
  • Invoice Block Clearance – Compare PO, receipt, and invoice; resolve mismatches by liaising with AP and suppliers within 48 h.
  • Master‑Data Upkeep – Perform quarterly audits of supplier master and catalogue pricing; correct outdated or duplicate records.
  • Document Management – File contracts, NDA copies, and change orders; ensure traceability for audit.
  • Spend Analysis Support – Extract PO data, categorise spend, and highlight maverick or spot buys to category managers.
Procurement Coordinator Detailed Skills Description
  • Attention to Detail: Ensures PO lines, pricing, and delivery dates are error‑free before release.
  • ERP Literacy: Navigates purchasing, inventory, and vendor modules; runs status queries.
  • Analytical Thinking: Uses pivots to detect price spikes or frequent expedited orders.
  • Communication & Service: Responds promptly to supplier queries; keeps planners informed of delays.
  • Problem‑Solving: Applies 5 Why or fishbone techniques to recurring invoice issues.
  • Time Management: Prioritises urgent orders while maintaining routine purchasing cadence.
  • Collaboration: Coordinates with Quality and Warehouse on non‑conformance or shortages.

16. Direct Procurement Supervisor

Direct procurement supervisors manage direct procurement activities and collaborate with key regional business partners to develop sourcing strategies for optimizing costs and negotiations while ensuring a consistent supply from direct and indirect purchasing.

Direct procurement supervisors typically have expertise and knowledge surrounding market trends, spend patterns, cost variations, geopolitical considerations, and more. Furthermore, these professionals can analyze and develop a robust supplier base that will help companies achieve their long-term procurement goals.

  • Evaluate and match products and services to determine which best meet the organization’s needs
  • Superintends the inventory of raw materials or other goods and places orders when supplies run low
  • Negotiation is a key aspect of the procurement specialist’s role. After securing the best pricing, terms, and delivery options for each product or service, they finalize the contract.

Salary range: $62,392-$108,362/year with an average of $76,960/year

Direct Procurement Supervisor Job Description Template

Job Title: Direct Procurement Specialist

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A direct procurement specialist is responsible for procuring goods and services for the company that drives profit. They locate key suppliers, look for quality goods and services that meet company specifications, and negotiate a company’s purchasing agreements among others.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Procures goods and services that meet the organization’s requirements.
  • Evaluates and negotiates supplier contracts.
  • Track inventory and restock goods whenever needed.
  • Stays up to date on industry trends, new products, supplier information, etc.
  • Compare available goods with market trends and determine the right pricing.
  • Conducting market research to find supplier options compatible with company needs while saving on costs.
  • Conducting cost analysis.
  • Coordinating and communicating with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
  • Managing and keeping track of shipments, deliveries, and fulfillment.
  • Managing supplier relationships and acting as the agent between the buyer and supplier.

KPIs for this role

  • Compliance Rate: When suppliers fulfill all their contractual requirements.
  • Number of Suppliers: Level of dependence on each supplier.
  • Purchase Order Cycle Time: The average time it takes for the purchase order process.
  • Supplier Quality Rating: Determine supplier quality and supplier benefits for future partnerships.
  • Supplier Defect Rate: Evaluate individual supplier quality based on defect rate.
  • Vendor Rejection Rate & Costs: Examine vendor management strategies.
  • Emergency Purchase Ratio: Rate of emergency purchases for company inventory.
  • Purchases In Time & Budget: Monitor time and budget costs and ensure that it fall within the organization’s budget.
  • Procurement Cost Reduction: Tangible cost savings from strategic procurement decisions.
  • Procurement Cost Avoidance: The avoidance of cost for future procurement processes and decisions because of strategic planning and data analysis.
  • Spend Under Management: Track and optimize procurement spend.
  • Procurement ROI: Determine the profitability of procurement investments.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, supply chain management, or related field.
  • At least 2 years of work experience as a Procurement Specialist or similar role.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of procurement strategies.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication.
  • Analytical thinking and negotiation skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and other procurement softwares and applications.
Direct Procurement Supervisor Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Procures goods and services that meet the organization’s requirements.
  • Evaluates and negotiates supplier contracts.
  • Track inventory and restock goods whenever needed.
  • Stays up to date on industry trends, new products, supplier information, etc.
  • Compare available goods with market trends and determine the right pricing.
  • Conducting market research to find supplier options compatible with company needs while saving on costs.
  • Conducting cost analysis.
  • Coordinating and communicating with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
  • Managing and keeping track of shipment, delivery, and fulfillment.
  • Managing supplier relationships and acting as the agent between buyer and supplier.
Direct Procurement Supervisor Detailed Skills Description
  • Communication and collaboration: Collaboration between other departments and communicate with them along with suppliers.
  • Financial skills: Knowledge in economics and the management of dinances.
  • Research skills: Gathering any and all up-to-date information relevant to the industry and procurement practices.
  • Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate with suppliers to have the best possible deals and contract advantages.
  • Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks in the company’s procurement processes.
  • Analytical Skills: Ability for data analysis to make informed procurement decisions.
  • Inventory Management: Managing stock inventory, ensuring stock availability, and keeping track of inventory data.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage procurement projects and efficiently see them through from start to finish.
  • Digital Aptitude: Proficiency in using digital tools and technologies in procurement.
  • Forecasting: Ability to forecast relevant market trends, industry changes, etc. from available data.

17. Sustainable Procurement Manager

With the growing focus on CSR (Corporate Social Governance) policies, the role of sustainable procurement managers has become increasingly prevalent. Sustainable procurement managers are responsible for developing policies that align with environmental standards and climate considerations.

Sustainable procurement managers ensure that procurement teams and suppliers adopt green procurement practices that ensure sustainability within the supply chain and align with ESG policies.

  • Formulate, execute, and supervise sustainable policies and strategies for the organization’s procurement operations
  • Verify suppliers and service providers comply with sustainability objectives and standards
  • Assess and supervise supplier and service provider performance to ensure adherence to sustainability benchmarks, including human rights and environmental regulations

Salary range: $125,256-$159,819/year with an average of $142,917/year

Sustainable Procurement Manager Job Description Template

Job Title: Sustainable Procurement Manager

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A sustainable procurement manager deals with ethical and sustainable procurement. They strategically maneuver their way into the industry to implement procurement initiatives that are up to par with their sustainability standards.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Create and implement sustainable procurement policies and strategies for the organization.
  • Ensure sustainability goals and requirements are met by suppliers and vendors.
  • Ensure that suppliers and vendors meet sustainability standards.
  • Create supplier relationships with sustainable and ethical suppliers.
  • Create tools and methods for the measurement of sustainability in purchasing.
  • Ensure compliance with social and environmental standards and laws.
  • Find sustainable purchasing alternatives.
  • Participate in promotional activities and campaigns that raise consumer awareness of sustainability.
  • Create and develop sustainable purchasing initiatives.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with other departments to work together on sustainable purchasing strategies and action plans.
  • Track and identify trends and best practices for the improvement of sustainable purchasing.

KPIs for this role

  • Sustainable Spend Percentage: Percentage of sustainable procurement spend and efficiency of budget allocation.
  • Supplier Sustainability Ratings: Supplier ratings or scores based on their sustainability performance.
  • Carbon Footprint Reduction: The reduction in carbon emissions of the organization, achieved through sustainable procurement practices and strategies.
  • Waste Reduction: the amount of waste reduced or diverted from landfills because of sustainable procurement practices.
  • Supplier Diversity: Amount of suppliers that are classified as diverse (e.g., minority-owned, women-owned).
  • Compliance with Sustainability Standards: Percentage of suppliers that comply with sustainability standards and guidelines according to the organization’s requirements.
  • Cost Savings through Sustainability: Amount of money saved by the organization because of sustainable procurement practices.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder engagement, encouragement,  and satisfaction with sustainability initiatives.
  • Number of Sustainable Procurement Initiatives: The number of new sustainable procurement initiatives introduced and implemented in the procurement practices and strategies of the organization.
  • Supplier Innovation: The number of sustainability initiatives created or introduced and executed by suppliers.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Science, or other relevant field.
  • 5-7 years of work experience in procurement, sustainability, or other related fields.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication.
  • Excellent project management skills.
  • An analytical mind that’s tuned to sustainability.
  • Creativity in creating and developing sustainability practices and strategies in procurement.
Sustainable Procurement Manager Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Create and implement sustainable procurement policies and strategies for the organization.
  • Ensure sustainability goals and requirements are met by suppliers and vendors.
  • Ensure that suppliers and vendors meet sustainability standards.
  • Create supplier relationships with sustainable and ethical suppliers.
  • Create tools and methods for the measurement of sustainability in purchasing.
  • Ensure compliance with social and environmental standards and laws.
  • Find sustainable purchasing alternatives.
  • Participate in promotional activities and campaigns that raise consumer awareness of sustainability.
  • Create and develop sustainable purchasing initiatives.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with other departments to work together on sustainable purchasing strategies and action plans.
  • Track and identify trends and best practices for the improvement of sustainable purchasing.
Sustainable Procurement Manager Detailed Skills Description
  • Knowledge of Sustainability Practices: A working knowledge and deep understanding of sustainability principles and their applications in procurement.
  • Procurement Expertise: Strong knowledge of procurement processes and strategies.
  • Policy Development: Ability to create and implement sustainable procurement policies and practices that align with organizational goals and industry standards.
  • Supplier Assessment: Evaluation of suppliers based on sustainability criteria.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Engagement of various stakeholders, suppliers, and external partners for the promotion of sustainable procurement practices.
  • Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze and assess data and find opportunities for improvement in sustainable procurement practices and strategies.
  • Project Management: Effective project management skills to allow for managing and maintaining multiple projects and efficiently finishing each by priority.
  • Risk Management: Identifying risks and finding solutions to avoid or minimize them.
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Knowing and understanding sustainability standards for consistent compliance with said standards.

18. Materials Procurement Officer

Materials procurement officers are responsible for overall materials management, including monitoring requirements, reporting requests and needs, submitting regular reports on materials stock, and more.

Typically, materials procurement officers are required to have a solid understanding of purchase order systems and detailed estimates, as well as consolidate regular requests from contracts. Furthermore, these professionals must be able to anticipate needed materials for a project and coordinate their duties accordingly.

  • Translate MRP to Purchase Orders – Release, modify, or cancel POs based on weekly demand and inventory targets.
  • Commodity & Market Monitoring – Track resin, steel, or paper indices; adjust pricing models and hedges.
  • Supplier Performance & Quality – Drive OTIF and first‑pass‑yield targets; initiate corrective‑action requests (CARs).
  • Cost & Contract Management – Negotiate annual price agreements, buffer‑stock terms, and consignment programs.
  • Inventory & Cash Optimization – Balance days‑of‑supply against working‑capital goals, preventing line‑stops.
  • Compliance & Sustainability – Ensure REACH/ROHS, conflict‑minerals, and FSC documentation for all sourced materials.

Salary range: $70,000 – $95,000/year with an average of $80,000/year

Materials Procurement Officer Job Description Template

Job Title: Materials Procurement Officer

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A materials procurement officer ensures that direct‑materials requirements are met on time, at the right specification, and at the lowest total landed cost. Sitting between planning, production, quality, and the supplier base, the role translates MRP signals into purchase orders, manages commodity price exposure, mitigates supply risk, and drives continuous improvement in cost, quality, and sustainability. 

Unlike indirect‑spend buyers, a materials procurement officer focuses on raw materials, components, and packaging that feed the bill of materials (BOM) and directly affect throughput and product margin. 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) Execution – Convert MRP output into POs and schedule agreements; secure supplier acknowledgments within 24 hours.
  • Commodity & Price Management – Monitor market indices; execute hedging or formula‑based price adjustments per contract.
  • Supplier Relationship Management – Conduct monthly supplier scorecards (OTIF, PPM, responsiveness) and lead QBRs.
  • Inventory Control – Maintain safety‑stock and reorder parameters; action slow‑moving or obsolete stock.
  • Quality & Compliance Assurance – Coordinate PPAP/FAI submissions, COAs, and regulatory declarations (REACH, RoHS, FSC, MSDS).
  • Issue Resolution – Investigate delivery, quality, or invoice discrepancies; implement preventive fixes within 48 h.
  • Data & System Integrity – Update lead times, MOQ, price, and lot attributes in ERP master data; test new releases.
  • Continuous Improvement – Lead Kaizen events that reduce material cost, cut PO cycle time, or implement VAVE savings.

KPIs for this role

  • On‑Time/In‑Full (OTIF) Delivery: At least 96% to prevent line stops.
  • Material Cost Variance (MCV):  No more than 0.5% worse than standard; shows success in negotiation and hedging.
  • Days of Inventory on Hand (DOH):  Less than 30 days for A-class items to optimize working capital.
  • First‑Pass‑Yield of Incoming Material: At least 98% meets quality and waste targets.
  • PO Cycle Time (MRP release → supplier confirm): Less than 8 hours to maintain agility.
  • Savings Captured: Documented cost savings compared to the previous year.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business; CIPS/ISM certification preferred.
  • 4–6 years of direct‑materials purchasing or commodity‑buying experience.
  • Proficient with ERP/MRP suites (SAP MM, Oracle, Infor, or Epicor) and advanced Excel/Power BI skills.
  • Working knowledge of Incoterms, PPAP, and commodity‑pricing mechanisms (LME, Platts, ICIS).
  • Strong negotiation, cost‑analysis, and contract drafting abilities.
  • Understanding of quality tools (8D, 5 Why) and Lean/Six Sigma principles; Green Belt a plus.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills in English; second language advantageous for global supply bases.

Materials Procurement Officer Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • MRP Execution: Review net‑requirements report; release or reschedule 40‑80 POs/day; ensure confirmations logged.
  • Expediting & De‑expediting: Chase late shipments; pull‑in or push‑out orders to align with takt; update promise dates.
  • Commodity Tracking: Download benchmark indices; update pricing formulas and share variance report with Finance.
  • Quality Liaison: Coordinate SCARs; follow up on PPAP packages; quarantine non‑conforming lots.
  • Inventory Health: Run slow‑moving report; initiate return‑to‑vendor (RTV) or re‑work disposition.
  • Invoice Reconciliation: Clear price/quantity blocks with AP within 48 h; issue credit/debit memos.
  • Supplier Development: Lead cost‑reduction workshops; pilot consignment or VMI programs.
  • Reporting: Publish weekly dashboard (OTIF, DOH, MCV, PPV) and present at tier‑2 supply‑chain meeting.
  • Process Improvement: Map current state, identify waste, and deploy e‑Kanban or auto‑PO solutions.
Materials Procurement Officer Detailed Skills Description
  • Market & Cost Analysis – Uses regression or should‑cost models to quantify commodity drivers.
  • Negotiation & Contracting – Crafts volume‑flex clauses, index‑linked pricing, and buffer‑stock terms.
  • Risk Management – Develops dual‑source plans and monitors geopolitical or ESG risks.
  • Quality Mind‑set – Applies 8D/5 Why to supplier escapes; drives corrective and preventive actions.
  • Systems Savvy – Maintains BOM/material master data; runs MRP exception codes; creates ad‑hoc SQL queries.
  • Collaboration & Influence – Aligns engineering change notices (ECNs), forecasts, and cost‑down roadmaps across functions.
  • Compliance Orientation – Ensures documentation for REACH, RoHS, conflict minerals, FSC, and ISO audits.
  • Time & Priority Management – Balances urgent expedites with strategic sourcing projects.

19. Procurement Consultant

Procurement consultants advise companies that want to optimize one or all aspects of their procurement process. Specifically, they work closely with companies to identify opportunities for stronger efforts in strategic sourcing, market research, and more.

Procurement consultant capabilities usually include technical skills, risk management and compliance skills, and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, procurement consultants are involved in sourcing optimization, supplier relationship management, and partnership communications.

  • Provide procurement counsel to clients
  • Provide procurement counsel to clients
  • Support managers in supplier relationships and negotiations

Salary range: $67,000 – $203,500/year with an average of $114,651/year

Procurement Consultant Job Description Template

Job Title: Procurement Consultant

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

A procurement consultant is a skilled professional who specializes in business supply. They review procurement policies, assess current processes, suggest improvements, help implement new procurement systems, and support other procurement needs of their clients.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Provide procurement advice to clients.
  • Develop suitable bids for new projects.
  • Support managers in supplier relationships and negotiations.
  • Communicate progress between the project team and clients.
  • Advise on compliance with Public Contracts Regulations and legislative requirements.
  • Manage deadlines and deliverables for clients.
  • Prepare project result reports and present recommendations.
  • Continuously evaluate project budget adherence and implement corrective actions for variations.

KPIs for this role

  • Compliance Rate: Measure the percentage of supplier compliance with contract terms and requirements.
  • Supplier Dependency Ratio: Track the ratio of suppliers to assess reliance on individual suppliers.
  • Purchase Order Cycle Time: Monitor the average time taken from order placement to receipt of goods or services.
  • Purchase Price Variance: Measure the variance between standard and actual purchase prices to identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Purchase Order Matching Rate: Track the percentage of invoices that match purchase orders to ensure accuracy.
  • Supplier Quality Rating: Evaluate suppliers based on quality metrics to ensure high-quality products or services.
  • Supplier Availability Rate: Measure the percentage of time suppliers are available to meet demand.
  • Supplier Defect Rate: Monitor the percentage of defective products or services from suppliers.
  • Vendor Rejection Rate & Costs: Measure the number of rejected vendors and associated costs to assess quality management.
  • Lead Time: Measure the time taken to fulfill an order from the time of request to delivery.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or economics
  • Ten years of experience in logistics, supply chain management, or corporate procurement
  • Significant prior experience in procurement management is required for a procurement consultant role to ensure the necessary skills
  • Professional certifications like Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) are advantageous
  • Ongoing education and self-improvement to stay current with market demands.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Procurement Consultant Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Provide procurement advice to clients.
  • Develop suitable bids for new projects.
  • Support managers in supplier relationships and negotiations.
  • Communicate progress between the project team and clients.
  • Advise on compliance with Public Contracts Regulations and legislative requirements.
  • Manage deadlines and deliverables for clients.
  • Prepare project result reports and present recommendations.
  • Continuously evaluate project budget adherence and implement corrective actions for variations.
Procurement Consultant Detailed Skills Description
  • Technology Knowledge: Understanding the primary technologies used in procurement is essential.
  • Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities are crucial for ensuring top-quality service for each client.
  • Team Collaboration: At Hudson Procure, our procurement consultants collaborate closely to deliver optimal results for our clients.
  • Effective Written Communication: As a procurement consultant, you’ll frequently prepare documents and communicate with clients via email, phone, and web conferences.
  • Strong Verbal Communication: Excellent verbal communication skills are essential for effective client interactions.
  • Risk Management: Procurement processes can encounter obstacles, so it’s important to plan for contingencies.
  • Results-Oriented: Success as a procurement consultant requires a focus on delivering exceptional service and outcomes.
  • Negotiation Skills: Expertise in negotiating prices and contract terms is vital for securing favorable deals for clients.
  • Research Skills: Thorough research into markets, competitors, and potential suppliers is critical for providing valuable consultancy.
  • Analytical Skills: Conducting strategic and operational analyses is essential for delivering valuable procurement insights.

20. Supplier Relations Manager

The primary responsibilities of a supplier relations manager involve building and maintaining positive relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts, and optimizing delivery times. Their duties necessitate robust supplier relationship management, researching potential suppliers, and reviewing supplier performance data.

  • Negotiate with suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing, ensuring compliance with company policies
  • Create and execute metrics for evaluating supplier performance, aiming to enhance quality, delivery, and service
  • Coordinate communication between company stakeholders and suppliers to clarify specifications and expectations

Salary range: $28,000 – $140,500/year with an average of $80,705/year

Supplier Relations Manager Job Description Template

Job Title: Supplier-Relationship Manager

Location: [Insert location]

Reports to: [Insert name and title of supervisor]

The role of a supplier relationship manager is to establish and nurture positive relationships with vendors, negotiate contracts, and ensure timely deliveries. They play a crucial role in reducing costs and improving the efficiency of the supply chain, ultimately affecting the organization’s financial performance.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Establish and maintain relationships with multiple suppliers on behalf of the organization.
  • Research and identify suitable suppliers to meet new business requirements or streamline costs.
  • Evaluate suppliers’ performance and profitability, making recommendations to executives and management.
  • Represent the organization’s business operations and administrative affairs both internally and externally.
  • Foster an environment that attracts, retains, and develops high-caliber staff.
  • Modernize administrative processes, systems, and infrastructure at the University to improve efficiency.
  • Provide timely, accurate, and valuable information to support decision-making.
  • Develop a comprehensive and balanced approach to University-wide risk management.
  • Improve satisfaction with administrative services among faculty, staff, students, and other clients.
  • Communicate campaign strategy and segmentation to key stakeholders to ensure team readiness and consistent messaging.
  • Collaborate with the Creative Services team to create effective customer communications across multiple channels.
  • Collaborate with the Sourcing and Quality functions to monitor supplier performance in delivery, quality, and cost.
  • Establish cross-functional relationships to understand the company’s technology needs and new product requirements.

KPIs for this role

  • Return on Investment (ROI): The objective of any supplier relationship is to increase revenue or cut costs, making it essential to measure this impact.
  • Risk Evaluation: Various risks are linked to collaborating with third-party suppliers, and a Supplier Relationship Manager should be familiar with them.
  • Cycle Time for Setting Up New Vendors: The average time taken to approve and include a supplier in the company’s vendor management or procurement system.
  • Compliance Rate: It quantifies the percentage of supplier adherence to contract terms and specifications.
  • Supplier Dependency Ratio: It monitors the ratio of suppliers to gauge the dependence on specific suppliers.

Key Skills and Qualifications: 

  • A bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or a related area is often required.
  • Several years of relevant work experience are typically required for supplier relationship manager positions. Experience in procurement, supply chain management, or logistics is preferred.
  • Supplier relationship managers need to develop strong negotiation, communication, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
  • Getting a professional certification in supply chain management or procurement can demonstrate expertise and dedication to the field.
Supplier Relations Manager Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks
  • Establish and maintain relationships with multiple suppliers on behalf of the organization.
  • Research and identify suitable suppliers to meet new business requirements or streamline costs.
  • Evaluate suppliers’ performance and profitability, making recommendations to executives and management.
  • Represent the organization’s business operations and administrative affairs both internally and externally.
  • Foster an environment that attracts, retains, and develops high-caliber staff.
  • Modernize administrative processes, systems, and infrastructure at the University to improve efficiency.
  • Provide timely, accurate, and valuable information to support decision-making.
  • Develop a comprehensive and balanced approach to University-wide risk management.
  • Improve satisfaction with administrative services among faculty, staff, students, and other clients.
  • Communicate campaign strategy and segmentation to key stakeholders to ensure team readiness and consistent messaging.
  • Collaborate with the Creative Services team to create effective customer communications across multiple channels.
  • Collaborate with the Sourcing and Quality functions to monitor supplier performance in delivery, quality, and cost.
  • Establish cross-functional relationships to understand the company’s technology needs and new product requirements.
Supplier Relations Manager Detailed Skills Description
  • Negotiation: Supplier relationship managers negotiate contracts and pricing agreements with suppliers.
  • Communication: Supplier relationship managers use strong communication skills to manage relationships with suppliers.
  • Analytical: Analytical skills are important for interpreting data related to supplier performance, pricing, and other supply chain factors.
  • Project management: Supplier relationship managers handle multiple projects with varying timelines, deliverables, and stakeholders.
  • Problem-solving: Supplier relationship managers need problem-solving skills to manage complex relationships with suppliers.

Pro Tip: When developing strategies for each quadrant, don’t just rely on static assessments—revisit your classifications quarterly to reflect market shifts and internal demand changes.

⭢ In the Junior Procurement Management Course, we dive deeper into this topic, and you’ll learn how to lead procurement conversations, manage internal expectations, and collaborate effectively across departments.

How Procurement Professions Impact Industries

As more industries expand, the volume of workloads within processes also grows. The procurement process involves several complex and uncomplicated steps requiring meticulous attention to detail and expertise. However, there aren’t enough procurement experts to handle this robust workload.

Based on a report from The Hackett Group, companies worldwide are experiencing a 10.6% rise in procurement needs. Due to the lack of procurement experts in the industry, increasing the gap in productivity and effectiveness, businesses have to handle more tasks with smaller budgets and a scarce number of experts.

In the area of procurement, the process goes beyond simply requiring one procurement professional to select, source, purchase, and finalize the process in its entirety. Procurement involves multiple steps, each requiring the specialized expertise of more than one professional, to take the procurement process from start to finish.

This is where procurement titles come in. Procurement professionals have specific roles—think of it as wearing different hats—depending on their expertise, the scale of operations, and the type of businesses they operate.

My Experience with Procurement Titles

Marijn Overvest
CEO/Founder of Procurement Tactics

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijn-overvest/

“In the first two years after I got my master’s degree, I started as a procurement analyst. In that role, I mainly conducted analyses to make sure that we prepared great negotiation strategies to deal with our suppliers.

When I was working for a major supermarket, I was responsible for preparing negotiation processes while more experienced procurement managers were tasked with the actual negotiation. I analyzed different fronts, such as spend, sales, raw material price development margin, and more. Based on my findings from the available information, I helped procurement managers form their negotiation strategies.

Later, I worked for two years as part of a strategic procurement team. There, I was tasked with the merger of Ahold and Delhaize, two retailers that merged in 2016. I think I can describe my role in that as a procurement program manager as well as a strategic sourcing manager. My main responsibility was to make sure that all our savings targets were achieved for all brand products of the merger.

Becoming a procurement manager became my third role in the field. I was tasked with negotiating with 70 suppliers per year and buying over 1,000 different products, including canned soups, gherkins, and sauces. Those products were coming from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, so I had to strategize how to get the best deals with our suppliers from all across Europe.

Finally, I became a senior procurement manager, and my responsibilities involved some of the largest and most important deals for the company. My role also involved negotiations, however on a much larger scale. In addition to negotiating with suppliers, I was tasked with formulating and managing procurement processes, drafting contracts, settling disputes with suppliers, and more.”

Conclusion

Procurement titles highlight the importance of designating specific roles and responsibilities best suited for individual professionals.

This further bolsters the fact that procurement is a multifaceted industry, and its impact on companies and how they handle tasks cannot be overstated. Furthermore, the increase in procurement needs only emphasizes the sheer impact of procurement in navigating modern business and its complexities.

Frequentlyasked questions

How do procurement titles impact industries?

Procurement professionals have specific roles depending on their expertise, the scale of operations, and the type of businesses in which they operate.

How does the gap in the number of procurement experts impact businesses?

Due to the lack of procurement experts in the industry, businesses have to handle more tasks with smaller budgets and scarce numbers of experts.

What does a procurement manager do?

Procurement managers are responsible for making sure the procurement process meets the company’s needs through strategic planning, in-depth research, effective negotiation, and supplier selection.

About the author

My name is Marijn Overvest, I’m the founder of Procurement Tactics. I have a deep passion for procurement, and I’ve upskilled over 200 procurement teams from all over the world. When I’m not working, I love running and cycling.

Marijn Overvest Procurement Tactics