<p>A Procurement Officer sources goods and services to meet an organisation's operational and strategic needs. This role balances cost efficiency, quality and compliance while building robust supplier relationships. The officer supports procurement cycles from requisition through to supplier payment and contributes to the continuous improvement of purchasing practices.</p>
<h2>Procurement Officer Job Profile</h2>
<p>The Procurement Officer ensures the timely purchase of materials and services at optimal cost while maintaining compliance with company policy and procurement regulations. They liaise with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and with suppliers to secure reliable delivery and favourable terms.</p>
<p>Reporting to the Procurement Manager or Head of Procurement, the officer monitors supplier performance, processes purchase orders, and assists with tendering and contract administration. Attention to detail and strong negotiation skills are essential.</p>
<h2>Procurement Officer Job Description</h2>
<p>The Procurement Officer undertakes day-to-day purchasing activities, including raising purchase orders, obtaining competitive quotes, and maintaining accurate procurement records. They will work closely with operational teams to forecast demand, manage stock levels and prevent supply interruptions. The role requires proactive supplier engagement to drive value and mitigate risk.</p>
<p>Key responsibilities include administering procurement systems, ensuring invoices match purchase orders and goods received notes, and supporting audits and compliance checks. The officer contributes to tender evaluations, helps develop sourcing strategies and recommends cost-saving initiatives. They also monitor market trends, supplier performance and delivery schedules to support business continuity.</p>
<p>Successful candidates will be adept at managing multiple priorities, comfortable with procurement software and able to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. The role often involves liaising with legal, finance and logistics teams to ensure contract terms, payment processes and delivery arrangements are aligned with company objectives. Continuous improvement and adherence to sustainable procurement practices are expected.</p>
<h2>Procurement Officer Duties and Responsibilities</h2>
<ul>
<li>Raise and process purchase orders in line with company policy and budget approvals</li>
<li>Sourcing suppliers, obtaining quotations and conducting basic supplier evaluations</li>
<li>Negotiate prices, lead times and payment terms to secure the best value for the organisation</li>
<li>Maintain procurement records, supplier files and contracts within the procurement system</li>
<li>Coordinate with internal stakeholders to confirm specifications and delivery requirements</li>
<li>Reconcile supplier invoices with purchase orders and goods received notes</li>
<li>Monitor supplier performance and escalate issues such as late deliveries or quality failures</li>
<li>Assist with tender processes, bid evaluation and contract award documentation</li>
<li>Support procurement audits and ensure compliance with internal controls and regulations</li>
<li>Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements</li>
<li>Maintain awareness of market trends, raw material pricing and supply chain risks</li>
<li>Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing practices across procurement activities</li>
</ul>
<h2>Procurement Officer Requirements and Qualifications</h2>
<ul>
<li>Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance or a related discipline, or equivalent experience</li>
<li>Proven experience in procurement or purchasing, ideally within a similar sector</li>
<li>Familiarity with procurement systems and Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP systems is advantageous</li>
<li>Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills</li>
<li>Good numeracy and analytical skills to evaluate quotations and recommend suppliers</li>
<li>Knowledge of procurement regulations, contract law basics and purchasing best practices</li>
<li>Attention to detail and a methodical approach to record-keeping and compliance</li>
<li>Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities to meet deadlines</li>
<li>Strong ethical standards and commitment to supplier diversity and sustainability</li>
<li>A professional procurement qualification, such as CIPS, is desirable but not essential</li>
</ul>