Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
Sourcing Jobs — The Ultimate Guide for 2024
Key take-aways
- Sourcing jobs are different types of jobs that have something to do with sourcing.
- The most common sourcing jobs or positions are sourcing analyst, sourcing manager, and strategic sourcing manager.
- Sourcing analyst is the job title of the entry-level position for sourcing.
Even with the pandemic raging on, a sourcing manager is, and will always be, needed by the company. Well, not just the sourcing manager, but the whole department!
Thanks to the wonders of the Internet and the availability of incredibly fast Internet connections provided in every city and home, even a remote worker may find it easy to search online for “sourcing jobs near me.” But before you suddenly jump in and begin your search, we need to define the many types of sourcing jobs that you’ll encounter.
Sourcing Jobs: A Profitable Career in 2024?
Below are some of the most common sourcing jobs that you can find:
Sourcing Analyst
Perhaps in the entry-level position for every sourcing job, the sourcing analyst works closely with the procurement manager and the strategic sourcing manager. They are usually in charge of getting in touch with colleagues in finance, legal, IT research and development, and customer success.
Sourcing Manager
As the go-to person for initiating and managing procurement projects, the sourcing manager works closely with vendors and internal teams to ensure the procurement process goes smoothly. Other titles for the sourcing manager include sourcing coordinator and sourcing engineer.
Strategic Sourcing Manager
The strategic sourcing manager is in charge of the more important and high-value purchases. Becoming a strategic sourcing manager requires an analytical mind and tactical spending. The sourcing manager is a role that is usually present in bigger companies
Sourcing Jobs – How to Get Hired?
I bet your number one question right now is how to get find those procurement jobs and how to get hired too.
Well, that’s very easy; all you have to do is check out our Negotiation Course For Procurement Professionals, get yourself signed up and we’ll teach you everything that you need to know.
Okay, that sounds incredibly easy, right? That’s just a little joke from us to you, our dear readers.
So how do you find these vacant procurement job positions? And what are the details and qualifications that you need to have to get the job? Well here are five very easy steps to do that:
1. The Internet is Your Friend
The first thing you should do is open your browser, get on your keyboard and start typing “best procurement jobs near me.” In a few minutes, you’ll most likely get thousands of search results for new and outgoing hirings for procurement managers and specialists.
For those who are in locations where it is next to impossible to get an Internet connection, then newspapers are your sources for job vacancies.
Another good tip would be to subscribe to websites that help people find and get jobs. Don’t forget to subscribe with your email; you should receive newsletters about the latest employment opportunities every week or month. Take advantage of these and you should get hired in no time at all.
2. Check for Educational Qualifications
The next thing to check is your qualifications. For most entry-level procurement jobs, graduates with business, finance, or economics degrees are almost always welcome to apply. ?
And for you to have those skills, your educational qualifications should also fit the job you’re trying to apply for.
For most entry-level procurement jobs, graduates with business, finance, or economics degrees are almost always welcome to apply. For managerial and executive-level positions, such as the strategic sourcing manager, director of procurement, and CPO positions, you need to have an advanced degree to cut.
Also, an executive-level position requires an applicant to have 20 years of working experience. Thus consider this before applying for the said job.
3. Check your Skillset
While there are many procurement jobs available, it is also understandable that it is not for everyone. To check if you are qualified, your skills will also be assessed.
Below are some of the skills that are necessary to rise from procurement analyst all the way to CPO:
- Contract and Report Analysis
- Experience in technology, such as reporting systems, communication software, and enterprise resource planning systems
- Vendor performing tracking and communication
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Leadership; the ability to influence your team members
- Compromise and collaboration
- ROI Calculations
- Data Analytics
- Contract Negotiation and Execution
- A strong business judgment and financial impact assessment
- A global perspective and knowledge of interdepartmental dependencies
4. Prepare a Professional Resume
During my time as a procurement manager, I’ve met a lot of potential applicants applying for entry-level procurement jobs. At first, they were completely confident that they’ll get hired. Unfortunately, most of the people I’ve met failed to get the job all because they submitted a poorly made resume.
If you’re going to apply for a serious position like a procurement analyst or manager, then please submit a professionally made resume. Don’t just grab a piece of paper and smack everything great about yourself; make sure that each print corresponds to the right years of experience when it comes to your job.
Also, don’t try to lie in your resume because a company can do a background check on you. If the information is proven wrong, then say goodbye to working in the procurement department.
Also, don’t forget to include a cover letter. A cover letter is a good indication of your negotiation skills. This is where you’ll need to influence the hiring manager to give you a shot, so by all means, make sure that your cover letter is impressive!
5. Dress for the Occasion
We might be going remote right now because of the pandemic but nothing turns off an employer when their potential employee shows up online in a baggy T-shirt and shorts.
Even if the interview is going to be online, you need to dress up the part as well. The procurement manager must appear convincing and professional, thus a sharp suit or business formal attire should do well to make you appear like a true professional. If you need to wear a tie, then do so too!
Sourcing Jobs Salary Rate
At last, we’ve come to the part where everyone is always very excited. This is where we talk about how much do sourcing jobs fare in terms of salary rate.
Despite the economic crunch brought by the COVID 19 pandemic, both procurement and sourcing remain strong industries that bring in the biggest salary rates for last year. This means it’s a very profitable move to start or consider a career in procurement or sourcing.
For the Sourcing Specialists, these guys make a whopping $63,365 per year. The highest salary rate comes at $87,525 per year, with the runner-up coming in closely at $76,368 per year. That is already considered a lot of money for those who are interested in making a career move to sourcing jobs.
Websites to Help You Look for Sourcing Jobs
This year, more and more people are starting to find jobs to sustain themselves due to rising inflation. Additionally, we are starting to go back to pre-covid levels as restrictions continue to ease.
However, even if we go back to what we were used to before the pandemic, the usefulness of searching for jobs online continues to be relevant and is one thing that will never fade.
Below are the job search websites where you can look for sourcing jobs:
1. Indeed
It is no surprise that this will be our first pick as it is one of the best and most popular job websites. Indeed was founded in 2004 with a mission to help people find jobs.
Indeed also posts listings for job seekers in every industry, every job level, and every job type. Indeed is free to use which is why it is loved by many.
If you want to be notified of the latest jobs on Indeed, you will need to create an account. However, you do not have to worry as making an account is free.
Furthermore, Indeed has a review section for companies so you can read the opinions about your prospective employers before applying.
2. Glassdoor
Glassdoor was founded in 2008 aiming to help bring salary transparency and honest company reviews to millions of its users. Just like Indeed, Glassdoor is free to use for job seekers. They can also simultaneously search for open jobs and read detailed information about the company they are going to apply to.
However, to start your job search, you must create a profile, upload your resume, and sign up for email notifications to receive the latest job postings on the website.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is not just an app to meet and connect with like-minded professionals. It also allows you to find the job that you are dreaming of.
Unlike most other job websites, it allows you to add recruiters which many human resources love as they can search for the best applicant for their company. Aside from delivering great job listings, it lets you easily show off your previous employment experience and accomplishments.
Creating a LinkedIn account is free. Once you have an account, you can use it to apply for open positions and send connection requests to grow your professional network.
4. Snagajob
Snagajob is America’s top marketplace for hourly jobs that connects employers and job seekers since its founding in 2000.
To apply for an open position on the website, you just have to click “apply now” on the page and you will be redirected to the website of your employer. You can also register on Snagajob to receive email notifications for a new job that matches your interest.
Additionally, just like any other job-searching website, signing up is completely free. So go and make your profile and find the job that you are looking for!
5. Foundit
Foundit, formerly known as Monster, was founded in 1994 to bring talents and companies together. Like Indeed, you can see many job opportunities.
However, in order to apply for a job listed in Monster, you need to create an account. You do not need to worry as creating an account is free.
Additionally, once you have created an account, you will be able to save job positions and search queries as well as be notified of new job listings available on the website.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, sourcing jobs and the procurement industry continue to thrive, offering lucrative opportunities. The importance of a well-functioning procurement department remains evident, with various roles, from analysts to managers and directors, playing crucial parts.
Aspiring professionals are advised to explore diverse sourcing job types, align qualifications, and develop essential skills. With substantial salary rates and a range of online platforms for job searches, entering the procurement and sourcing field in 2024 promises a rewarding career path.
Frequentlyasked questions
What are sourcing jobs?
Sourcing jobs are different types of jobs that have something to do with sourcing.
Are sourcing jobs good for this year?
Yes. Despite the COVID pandemic, the procurement industry remains strong, thus sourcing also remains strong.
How can I get a sourcing job?
You can try your luck applying for sourcing jobs online.
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.