What does a procurement supervisor do?
Procurement supervisors are professionals who supervise the activities and work of procurement personnel while participating in the implementation of goals and priorities for an organization's procurement activities and operations. These supervisors are required to conduct technical audits on logistics equipment and analyze logistics data to identify opportunities for improvement in performance and output. They must implement an inventory management system that will reduce inventory shortages while increasing turn rates. Procurement supervisors must also prepare purchase orders for goods and services to improve customer satisfaction.
Procurement supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real procurement supervisor resumes:
- Manage all transactions (RFP, RFB, RFQ, etc . )
- Manage and monitor real time transactions as they relate to the ERP system.
- Manage the entire RFP process from assembly of data through the monitoring of vendor performance.
- Manage suppliers (KPI's) to deliver target cost, service and quality levels in each operating center.
- Issue RFP s and analyze results and make recommendations to select the best value suppliers.
- Prepare and present reports detailing compliance review findings and solutions to GSA's senior-level executives and organizational acquisition operations directors.
- Demonstrate experience in implementing NQA-1 compliant CGD process with experience as a member of CGD survey team.
- Review and prepare bidding proposals for CGD activity for NQA-1 , 10CFR21 relate construction and fabrication projects.
- Utilize experience and familiarization with BOM controls to identify and establish work processes.
- Perform competitive RFX processes, source selection, negotiate legal and business terms and conditions through negotiations and perform contract administration.
Procurement supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Procurement Supervisors are proficient in Logistics, Purchase Orders, and Continuous Improvement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Procurement Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Logistics, 13%
Conducted technical logistics equipment audits, improved equipment performance and output.
- Purchase Orders, 13%
Initiate part requisition and place purchase orders with approved vendors to ensure timely delivery of components to support requirements.
- Continuous Improvement, 9%
Developed and monitored operational metrics and service levels for Procurement, with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Strategic Sourcing, 5%
Led strategic sourcing event for armored transport services, resulting in $932k savings with optimized service matrix and standardized contracts.
- ERP, 4%
Participated in the implementation and launch of the company's new ERP system (SAP).
- Commodities, 4%
Supported an affiliate business development team that traded and marketed commodities and related transportation services to various customers.
Common skills that a procurement supervisor uses to do their job include "logistics," "purchase orders," and "continuous improvement." You can find details on the most important procurement supervisor responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a procurement supervisor to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." Additionally, a procurement supervisor resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "managed supplier communications and updated internal stakeholders on project status. "
Interpersonal skills. Many procurement supervisor duties rely on interpersonal skills. "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services," so a procurement supervisor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways procurement supervisor responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "change management skills excellent interpersonal and written communication skills"
Time-management skills. procurement supervisors are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to procurement supervisor responsibilities, because "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." A procurement supervisor resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "coordinated with the servco sales, delivery, logistics and operations departments to ensure on time deliveries for government purchases. "
Analytical skills. procurement supervisor responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." This resume example shows what procurement supervisors do with analytical skills on a typical day: "analyzed, developed and led the implementation of the global sourcing strategy for designated spend categories. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a procurement supervisor to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what procurement supervisors relies on this skill, since "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." How this skill relates to procurement supervisor duties can be seen in an example from a procurement supervisor resume snippet: "develop resolution for erp system internal transfers. "
The three companies that hire the most procurement supervisors are:
- United Natural Foods15 procurement supervisors jobs
- Teledyne Technologies Incorporated4 procurement supervisors jobs
- XPO Logistics
2 procurement supervisors jobs
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Procurement supervisor vs. Landman
Landmen are referred to as the public-facing side of a gas, mineral, and oil exploration and production team. They are professionals who interact and negotiate directly with landowners for the acquisition of gas and oil drilling leases. Their duties include acquiring subsurface mineral rights from the landowners. They negotiate mineral rights, which include marketing and leasing right from the owner. The skills necessary for the job include management skills, leadership, communication skills, and attention to detail.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between procurement supervisors and landman. For instance, procurement supervisor responsibilities require skills such as "logistics," "purchase orders," "continuous improvement," and "strategic sourcing." Whereas a landman is skilled in "ownership reports," "title searches," "due diligence," and "right-of-way." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Landmen tend to reach lower levels of education than procurement supervisors. In fact, landmen are 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Procurement supervisor vs. Director of purchasing
A director of purchasing oversees the procedures related to buying resources and supplies, directing operations from planning to execution while adhering to standards and company policies. They primarily perform research and assessments to understand project needs in terms of price, quality, and delivery time. They also identify ideal suppliers, negotiate deals, and build positive business relationships. Additionally, a director of purchasing has the authority to make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities among staff, oversee employment procedures within the department, and solve issues and concerns when any arise.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that procurement supervisor responsibilities requires skills like "continuous improvement," "commodities," "procurement process," and "procurement policies." But a director of purchasing might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "supply chain," "product development," "vendor relations," and "supplier performance."
Directors of purchasing earn a higher average salary than procurement supervisors. But directors of purchasing earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $119,626. Additionally, procurement supervisors earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $86,275 annually.In general, directors of purchasing achieve similar levels of education than procurement supervisors. They're 3.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 8.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Procurement supervisor vs. Buyer
A buyer's duties include product sourcing and comparing resources for the best product range that would suit the specific needs of the business. Buyers must have excellent communication and negotiation skills to evaluate items that most likely benefit the customer and improve the sales of daily operations with cost-efficient products. They also conduct extensive research for market and price trends while considering the highest quality standards. Buyers should also possess strong analytical skills to create purchase orders and statistical analysis.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from procurement supervisor resumes include skills like "continuous improvement," "direct reports," "process improvement," and "procurement policies," whereas a buyer is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "supplier performance," "on-time delivery," and "supplier relationships. "
Buyers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $59,735. Procurement supervisors earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $86,275.When it comes to education, buyers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to procurement supervisors. In fact, they're 8.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Procurement supervisor vs. Purchasing assistant
A purchasing assistant is responsible for obtaining raw materials and goods for a business or company. They primarily function to assist purchasing managers or supervisors by keeping records, maintaining inventory, reviewing purchase orders, and monitoring shipments and deliveries. Furthermore, a purchasing assistant may perform administrative support tasks ranging from arranging appointments and managing schedules, answering calls and inquiries, reaching out to vendors and suppliers, producing reports, and coordinating with various departments to ensure the smooth flow of products within the company.
Types of procurement supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025











