Procurement manager

As a procurement manager, you'll be involved in a variety of projects for businesses, directly involved in sourcing and purchasing products and services. This can include:

• components to make a product a company sells
• products to be sold by a company, such as in a shop
• goods and services for use by the company
• marketing and advertising services to promote a company.

Your role will involve evaluating suppliers and supply chains, contract drafting, negotiation, and managing suppliers through the whole process. You'll also deal with any sustainability, risk management, and ethical issues, while also ensuring procedures are followed. The aim is to help companies and organisations save money, minimise waste, and increase profits.

In some organisations, the role of a procurement manager may be similar to that of a supply chain manager. This role may also be known as a purchasing manager.

What does a procurement manager do?

As a procurement manager, you'll need to:

• forecast levels of demand and price trends for services and products
• conduct research to source the best value products and suppliers in both quality and delivery schedules
• run tenders, evaluate bids, and make recommendations based on commercial and technical factors
• negotiate and agree contracts, monitoring the quality of service provided and keeping files on record for future reference
• build and maintain good relationships with new and existing suppliers
• manage and motivate a team of procurement staff and train new employees
• liaise between suppliers, manufacturers, internal teams (such as supply chains), planning, marketing, IT and sales, and customers
• develop strategies to make sure cost savings and supplier performance targets are met or exceeded
• ensure all procurement processes are followed and accurately recorded
• undertake reviews of existing contracts and arrangements
• ensure the security and sustainability of sources of essential products and services
• give presentations about market analysis and possible growth, as well as attend meetings and trade conferences
• analyse data, producing reports and statistics on spending and saving
• keep up-to-date with new innovations, regulations, and technologies that can impact the business.

Salaries for procurement management

• Starting salaries for entry-level procurement jobs are around £27,000 per year.
• Procurement or purchasing officers in the UK earn, on average, £28,000, but the salary can go as high as £40,000.
• Procurement/purchasing managers earn around £54,576, rising to approximately £76,000 for more experienced managers. Salaries at the very highest levels can be upwards of £122,000, depending on the nature of the role and the level of responsibility.

Various factors can influence salaries, including your location (income is typically higher in London), the size and type of company you work for, and the sector you work in, such as private, public, or charity/not-for-profit.

Other factors include your skills, experience, level of seniority, and professional qualifications, e.g. chartership.

Some of the income data above comes from the 2025 CIPS Procurement Salary Guide. Figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a procurement manager work?

Working hours for procurement managers are fairly standard, at 37 to 40 hours a week, and you'll mostly be office-based. However, it's possible you'll be required to visit suppliers and customers. There may even be occasions where you'll need to travel abroad to attend trade shows or set up new business agreements.

You may also need to work extra hours to meet deadlines or for international companies where you need to make calls to different time zones. There are opportunities for part-time, flexible and hybrid working patterns, as well.

How do I become a procurement manager?

Although procurement management is open to all graduates with a Bachelors degree, the following subjects may improve your chances:

• business studies or business management
• business purchasing and supply
• economics
• engineering
• marketing
• manufacturing or engineering
• operations management
• purchasing and logistics
• retail management
• supply chain management.

Entry requirements vary depending on the type and size of the organisation. For example, large retail stores and wholesale distribution centres may prefer a degree with a business emphasis. Conversely, employers in manufacturing, engineering, or construction might prefer qualifications and knowledge relevant to the field.

The Novus programme was created to help undergraduate students interested in supply chain, logistics, operations, transport, and data analytics progress their careers. It provides access to summer and year-long placements, graduate roles, and mentors. Another option is the NHS Procurement Graduate Scheme, which is a two-year, paid graduate scheme open to anyone with a bachelor's degree. It combines real-world NHS work with a recognised qualification.

It's also worth considering becoming a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). One way to do this is to take a CIPS-accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Alternatively, you can study for CIPS procurement qualifications to become a full member. For both routes, you'll need three years of experience to apply.

Entry without a degree is possible by starting in an entry-level role, such as administrative assistant, purchasing assistant, or assistant buyer. It may then be possible to gain promotion through experience and by taking professional qualifications.

You can also take a CIPS procurement apprenticeship, combining paid work with part-time study. Apprenticeships are available at:

• Level 3 - entry level point if you're starting out in procurement and supply
• Level 4 - aimed at those wanting to move into junior procurement management roles
• Level 6 (degree-level) - if you're looking to move into a strategic leadership role.

Although you don't need a postgraduate degree to become a procurement manager, it may be helpful. Search for postgraduate courses in procurement.

What skills does a procurement manager need?

You'll need to have:

• excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including interpersonal relationship management, and diplomatic proficiencies
• strong negotiation skills for getting the best price and value for money
• commercial and financial awareness, as managing budgets and keeping costs down is a vital part of the role
• strong analytical ability, including being able to identify issues and opportunities, as well as strong numerical competencies
• investigative and planning skills to identify what the business needs
• the ability to make important decisions and cope with the pressure of demanding targets and conflicting deadlines
• strong project management skills, including time management and being able to deliver to deadlines.

Where can I get procurement manager work experience?

Competition for roles is strong and previous business or professional experience is important. Try to find relevant work experience, for example as a purchasing assistant or junior buyer, complete a sandwich placement in procurement as part of your degree course, or ask if you can shadow a procurement manager, to find out more about the role.

Some larger organisations, such as the NHS, run summer schemes or offer internships in procurement.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs procurement managers?

Procurement management is increasingly recognised as an essential part of any business. Jobs are available in the private and public sector, as well as with charities or not-for-profit organisations.

Employers can range from national or multinational companies to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When working for an SME, you may be responsible for the full procurement and supply chain functions.

Typical employers include:

• armed forces
• energy and water
• engineering and construction industries
• information and communication technology companies
• local and national government
• manufacturing and service companies
• NHS
• pharmaceutical companies
• professional services industries
• public services industries
• retailing and mail order companies
• wholesalers.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Supply Chain Online
• CIPS Procurement and Supply Jobs

Recruitment agencies such as Robert Walters, Michael Page and Hays also advertise vacancies. You can also find job postings on LinkedIn.

Additionally, make sure you check the websites of national or international companies for opportunities.

Where can a career in procurement management lead?

Graduate training schemes typically last 18 months to three years. You'll usually complete several placements under the supervision of a mentor. You'll be assessed throughout the training and may have the opportunity to work towards a CIPS membership.

If you don't have a place on a graduate scheme, you can start as a junior or assistant buyer or a purchasing assistant. As a new employee, you'll be expected to learn the specifics of your employer's business. You'll receive practical, on-the-job training, and will learn by working closely with more experienced members of staff. With further training and qualifications, you can progress to procurement manager roles.

CIPS offers a choice of qualifications that can be studied while working or via distance learning. These provide a structured path of training that leads to full CIPS membership (MCIPS).

Once you've achieved MCIPS status, have a CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply certificate, and have recorded 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) over 12 months, you can apply for CIPS Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional status.

Once chartered, you must continue to complete 30 hours of CPD each year. CIPS offers a range of short training courses, as well as workshops, seminars, and events. You can also get involved in branch or special interest groups.

Your options for career development will depend on the organisation you work for. In larger companies, procurement activities are conducted by teams of people, possibly at different locations. You can progress by moving to management, overseeing teams then entire groups of teams. In a smaller company, however, you may be responsible for all the work, and you may have to move to a different company to progress.

Experienced procurement managers can also move to a department that manages a larger volume of goods, products, or services. Job titles at a higher level include:

• chief procurement officer
• head of procurement
• procurement director
• procurement manager
• senior buyer.

It's also possible to specialise in a specific area, such as IT, facilities management, or travel.

It’s worth noting that the CIPS acknowledges a gender pay gap in the procurement industry. However, companies are being encouraged to address the issue with inclusive recruitment and fairer promotions