What does a director, procurement do?

The responsibilities of a procurement director revolve around ensuring the efficient and smooth flow of supplies within the company, developing procurement strategies for optimal services and operations, assessing risks, and overseeing the implementation of new policies and regulations in the company. It is essential to coordinate with analysts to identify areas with potential opportunities or those needing improvements. Moreover, a director, procurement may directly communicate with stakeholders or higher-ranking officials, participate in recruiting new members of the workforce, and create programs for profit growth and significant results.
Director, procurement responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real director, procurement resumes:
- Develop and deploy integrated visual MRP tools to forecast and manage a constrain and vary purchasing model.
- Develop and lead cross-functional team to correct and optimize company ERP system resulting in an efficient order and fulfillment process.
- Manage RFP authoring and all aspects of the proposal/bidding process for special bond programs, SPLOST, and typical departmental needs.
- Centralize vendor management, outsource/off-shore vendor restructure master agreements and manage RFP process.
- Lead several highly visible project which require project oversight, budget management and ongoing communication.
- Develop a global sourcing & production strategy and vendor matrix appropriate for all product lines including apparel and textiles.
- Direct the sourcing division for all apparel departments including: men's, women's and children's wear.
- Facilitate processing of RFI's, submittals and samples among the general contractor, the owner and the owner's consultants.
- Integrate systems and policies effectively utilizing ERP to support global initiatives.
- Ensure continuity following departure from position by developing a succession plan for team and providing training/cross-training on all commodities.
- Provide consultative bottoms-up budget planning and savings projections to senior and executive management business partners across commodities and business units.
- Develop systems in conjunction with key vendor partners to establish internal requisition and purchasing systems, maintenance systems and logistics systems.
- Develop and establish entire supply chain including contract negotiations with suppliers for ingredients, packaging, logistics, and manufacturing co-packers.
- Leverage volume and spend across multiple lines of business.
- Overhaul Verizon s SRM program.
Director, procurement skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Directors, Procurement are proficient in Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Performance, and Continuous Improvement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Decisionmaking skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Directors, Procurement that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Strategic Sourcing, 7%
Provided comprehensive supply chain leadership and support focusing on quality, material cost management, strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
- Supplier Performance, 6%
Achieved stakeholder support, directed effective supplier negotiations and post-contract supplier performance management, and managed mediation of end user/supplier differences.
- Continuous Improvement, 5%
Provide guidance as a delegate for continuous improvement and empowerment initiatives, training programs, Hay salary management board and diversity.
- Logistics, 5%
Developed systems in conjunction with key vendor partners to establish internal requisition and purchasing systems, maintenance systems and logistics systems.
- Customer Service, 4%
Led team to move away from tactical purchasing police mentality to a more collaborative and customer service oriented organization.
- Lean Manufacturing, 4%
Implemented Project Management Instituted and lean manufacturing concepts in this operation.
"strategic sourcing," "supplier performance," and "continuous improvement" are among the most common skills that directors, procurement use at work. You can find even more director, procurement responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a director, procurement to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "when evaluating suppliers, purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must analyze their options and choose a supplier with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service." Additionally, a director, procurement resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "lead cross-functional team to identify business requirements for oracle erp implementation, standardize processes and ensure appropriate data governance and quality. "
Decisionmaking skills. Another essential skill to perform director, procurement duties is decisionmaking skills. Directors, procurement responsibilities require that "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must have the ability to make informed and timely decisions, choosing products that they think will sell." Directors, procurement also use decisionmaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "led the make-buy decisionmaking process and supply chain definition for all new components, sub-assemblies and assemblies of new products. "
Math skills. directors, procurement are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to director, procurement responsibilities, because "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must possess math skills." A director, procurement resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "led quarterly business reviews utilizing performance metrics using quantitative data, based on cost, quality, service metrics. "
Negotiating skills. For certain director, procurement responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "negotiating skills." The day-to-day duties of a director, procurement rely on this skill, as "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what directors, procurement do: "saved $170,000 annually by negotiating favorable net terms with strategic suppliers to net 60 terms and fob-charges to destination. "
The three companies that hire the most director, procurements are:
- Pwc67 directors, procurement jobs
- Teleperformance USA52 directors, procurement jobs
- Highmark41 directors, procurement jobs
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Director, procurement vs. Supply manager
A supply manager or supply chain manager is an individual who supervises the import or creation of raw materials that are to be used by the company to form new products. Supply managers are required to coordinate all aspects of the supply chain to ensure that they are efficient and cost-effective. They must maintain low costs and high efficiency by building and maintaining relationships with the company's partners. Supply managers should also recruit staff members and provide training to help them learn and master their jobs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a director, procurement are more likely to require skills like "continuous improvement," "logistics," "customer service," and "lean manufacturing." On the other hand, a job as a supply manager requires skills like "supply chain," "patients," "logistical support," and "professional development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Supply managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,082. Comparatively, directors, procurement tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $148,169.The education levels that supply managers earn slightly differ from directors, procurement. In particular, supply managers are 8.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a director, procurement. Additionally, they're 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director, procurement vs. Supply chain manager
A supply chain manager is an individual who takes responsibility for managing hardware, equipment, and any other logistical details of an organization. Supply chain managers work alongside the external partners for parts and raw material procurement. They make sure that global companies coordinate with their sources of goods. These professionals also assess their suppliers and negotiate corporate contracts with vendors. The skills they needed include technical understanding, project management, cost accounting skills, and business ethics.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real director, procurement resumes. While director, procurement responsibilities can utilize skills like "procurement strategies," "oversight," "procurement function," and "supplier management," supply chain managers use skills like "supply chain," "project management," "strong project management," and "chain operations."
On average, supply chain managers earn a lower salary than directors, procurement. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, supply chain managers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $109,431. Whereas directors, procurement have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $148,169.In general, supply chain managers achieve similar levels of education than directors, procurement. They're 2.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director, procurement vs. Material manager
A material manager is responsible for monitoring inventories and stock supplies, ensuring the adequacy of materials needed for manufacturing or other operations, depending on the organization's industry. Material managers meet with suppliers and third-party vendors, negotiating contracts that would fit the budget goals of the company without compromising quality. They manage the distribution of resources throughout the organizations' department and provide purchase reports for the management. A material manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to address the needs of an organization for smooth operations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from director, procurement resumes include skills like "supplier relationships," "procurement strategies," "oversight," and "procurement function," whereas a material manager is more likely to list skills in "supply chain," "materials management," "on-time delivery," and "shipping receiving. "
Material managers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $97,765. Comparatively, directors, procurement have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $148,169.When it comes to education, material managers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to directors, procurement. In fact, they're 9.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Director, procurement vs. Planning manager
Planning managers perform various duties and responsibilities for an organization. These include planning and monitoring a project or department's budget, production schedule, and inventory, creating reports of new plans, programs, and regulations, and ensuring development proposals comply with requirements and regulations. Additionally, planning managers are expected to serve as an intermediary between developers, government entities, businesses, and communities. They also oversee site plans, rezoning, and special-use permits, set schedules for the project, and supervise other personnel such as developers and consultants.
Types of director, procurement
Updated January 8, 2025











