Procurement / Buyer / Purchasing
Discussion
I have recently started a couple of threads in here due to not being happy at work. This is a bit long winded but please bear with me, I’m getting stressed thinking about a career change all the time.
It seems both buying or selling are high up the list of potential careers so the purpose of this thread was to find some information about buying careers.
I currently work for a leading energy consultancy as a ‘Procurement Specialist’, although my old title of ‘Energy Procurement Advisor’ better describes my role.
There are more reasons than the below why I dislike my job but here are a few main points:
- Money, for a start; I’m on £18k and would like a better wage to clear my debt quicker and to enjoy life a little more with my girlfriend.
- Boredom. I sit at a desk all day doing the same thing day in day out. I have small tedious jobs to do all the time, but generally things that I can’t get anywhere with due to other people being no help and I have the important jobs where I am locking in energy supply contracts worth millions per year for a company with 1000 sites. I know most people don’t like their job but I want some enjoyment out of mine or at least not to be depressed every time Monday comes around.
- I have been in my current role within the company since October 12 and I have been to London twice and due to go to Slough next week (I’m based on the Fylde coast); I love getting out of the office and want a job with regular visits to suppliers/customers, nationally or inter-nationally. I’m debating whether I want an office job at all the way I’m feeling at the moment, but I think if I get out more I will be happier.
Are there any buyers out there who might be able to give me an insight to their day to day job?
Or, is there anybody else who might have some opinions on other jobs which may meet my very vague points above?
If you made it this far, thanks for reading…please help!
It seems both buying or selling are high up the list of potential careers so the purpose of this thread was to find some information about buying careers.
I currently work for a leading energy consultancy as a ‘Procurement Specialist’, although my old title of ‘Energy Procurement Advisor’ better describes my role.
There are more reasons than the below why I dislike my job but here are a few main points:
- Money, for a start; I’m on £18k and would like a better wage to clear my debt quicker and to enjoy life a little more with my girlfriend.
- Boredom. I sit at a desk all day doing the same thing day in day out. I have small tedious jobs to do all the time, but generally things that I can’t get anywhere with due to other people being no help and I have the important jobs where I am locking in energy supply contracts worth millions per year for a company with 1000 sites. I know most people don’t like their job but I want some enjoyment out of mine or at least not to be depressed every time Monday comes around.
- I have been in my current role within the company since October 12 and I have been to London twice and due to go to Slough next week (I’m based on the Fylde coast); I love getting out of the office and want a job with regular visits to suppliers/customers, nationally or inter-nationally. I’m debating whether I want an office job at all the way I’m feeling at the moment, but I think if I get out more I will be happier.
Are there any buyers out there who might be able to give me an insight to their day to day job?
Or, is there anybody else who might have some opinions on other jobs which may meet my very vague points above?
If you made it this far, thanks for reading…please help!
"Are there any buyers out there who might be able to give me an insight to their day to day job?"
I'm a buyer for a contractor in oil & gas engineering. I started 9 years ago with Fluor & was with them for 5 years before going contracting. I've been with several other EPC contractors since then.
My day to day job consists of preparing bidders lists, issuing RFQ's, receiving offers & distributing them to those who need to review them. Creating commercial bid evaluations & working with the package engineers to ensure comparing like for like. Negotiating with suppliers (face to face & on the phone) for best price & delivery, placing purchase orders, approving invoices for various payment milestones.
Lots of other things as well & I don't do all the above on the same day, its quite interesting & varied but at times can be stressful.
I'm a buyer for a contractor in oil & gas engineering. I started 9 years ago with Fluor & was with them for 5 years before going contracting. I've been with several other EPC contractors since then.
My day to day job consists of preparing bidders lists, issuing RFQ's, receiving offers & distributing them to those who need to review them. Creating commercial bid evaluations & working with the package engineers to ensure comparing like for like. Negotiating with suppliers (face to face & on the phone) for best price & delivery, placing purchase orders, approving invoices for various payment milestones.
Lots of other things as well & I don't do all the above on the same day, its quite interesting & varied but at times can be stressful.
I'm a buyer and to me what your doing sounds very much like a 'category manager' type role; single discipline/commodity, ongoing...boring IMO.
It sounds to me like you'd prefer a 'project procurement' type role.
I'm in construction-ish (on the developer/client side) at the moment which gives a varied workload; one week/month I'll be letting a consultancy agreement, the next it'll be small building/enabling works etc etc as required.
Similar to the above, a standard day will/could consist liaising with stakeholdes (internal project team and external project managers) to identify/refine requirements, collating/producing tender docs, researching and engaging potential suppliers, issuing ITTs, analysing tender responses, negotiating, writing contracts and all the bits inbetween (answering questions/queries from tenderers, making sure bids are complete/comprihensive/compliant etc).
Speak with a few recruiters, tell them what you're doing and where you'd like to get to and see what they have to say. I've been placed by Hays and Michael Page in the past and found them both good, although I think that's as much down to dealing with decent consultants which can be pot luck.
I'd also advise having a look into getting a CIPS qualification; it seems to be top of the list of requirements these days with employers.
It sounds to me like you'd prefer a 'project procurement' type role.
I'm in construction-ish (on the developer/client side) at the moment which gives a varied workload; one week/month I'll be letting a consultancy agreement, the next it'll be small building/enabling works etc etc as required.
Similar to the above, a standard day will/could consist liaising with stakeholdes (internal project team and external project managers) to identify/refine requirements, collating/producing tender docs, researching and engaging potential suppliers, issuing ITTs, analysing tender responses, negotiating, writing contracts and all the bits inbetween (answering questions/queries from tenderers, making sure bids are complete/comprihensive/compliant etc).
Speak with a few recruiters, tell them what you're doing and where you'd like to get to and see what they have to say. I've been placed by Hays and Michael Page in the past and found them both good, although I think that's as much down to dealing with decent consultants which can be pot luck.
I'd also advise having a look into getting a CIPS qualification; it seems to be top of the list of requirements these days with employers.
Edited by roboxm3 on Thursday 16th May 15:28
iacabu said:
Thanks for the replies, it all helps when considering a change.
I had a look at CIPS qualifications the other day, I assume many employers would help you work towards this anyway?
Quite possibly if their procurement function is well regarded / mature within the business but (and I say this somewhat hypocritically, as someone with no CIPS qualifications) I'd definitely advise looking into completing the foundation module yourself, or at least becoming associated in some capacity. Your CV will look better for it and an employer would think that you're serious about your chosen career path and be more likely to invest some time and money in you and your development.I had a look at CIPS qualifications the other day, I assume many employers would help you work towards this anyway?
I should really take my own advice.
iacabu said:
I have recently started a couple of threads in here due to not being happy at work. This is a bit long winded but please bear with me, I’m getting stressed thinking about a career change all the time.
It seems both buying or selling are high up the list of potential careers so the purpose of this thread was to find some information about buying careers.
I currently work for a leading energy consultancy as a ‘Procurement Specialist’, although my old title of ‘Energy Procurement Advisor’ better describes my role.
There are more reasons than the below why I dislike my job but here are a few main points:
- Money, for a start; I’m on £18k and would like a better wage to clear my debt quicker and to enjoy life a little more with my girlfriend.
- Boredom. I sit at a desk all day doing the same thing day in day out. I have small tedious jobs to do all the time, but generally things that I can’t get anywhere with due to other people being no help and I have the important jobs where I am locking in energy supply contracts worth millions per year for a company with 1000 sites. I know most people don’t like their job but I want some enjoyment out of mine or at least not to be depressed every time Monday comes around.
- I have been in my current role within the company since October 12 and I have been to London twice and due to go to Slough next week (I’m based on the Fylde coast); I love getting out of the office and want a job with regular visits to suppliers/customers, nationally or inter-nationally. I’m debating whether I want an office job at all the way I’m feeling at the moment, but I think if I get out more I will be happier.
Are there any buyers out there who might be able to give me an insight to their day to day job?
Or, is there anybody else who might have some opinions on other jobs which may meet my very vague points above?
If you made it this far, thanks for reading…please help!
Move into Oil & Gas.It seems both buying or selling are high up the list of potential careers so the purpose of this thread was to find some information about buying careers.
I currently work for a leading energy consultancy as a ‘Procurement Specialist’, although my old title of ‘Energy Procurement Advisor’ better describes my role.
There are more reasons than the below why I dislike my job but here are a few main points:
- Money, for a start; I’m on £18k and would like a better wage to clear my debt quicker and to enjoy life a little more with my girlfriend.
- Boredom. I sit at a desk all day doing the same thing day in day out. I have small tedious jobs to do all the time, but generally things that I can’t get anywhere with due to other people being no help and I have the important jobs where I am locking in energy supply contracts worth millions per year for a company with 1000 sites. I know most people don’t like their job but I want some enjoyment out of mine or at least not to be depressed every time Monday comes around.
- I have been in my current role within the company since October 12 and I have been to London twice and due to go to Slough next week (I’m based on the Fylde coast); I love getting out of the office and want a job with regular visits to suppliers/customers, nationally or inter-nationally. I’m debating whether I want an office job at all the way I’m feeling at the moment, but I think if I get out more I will be happier.
Are there any buyers out there who might be able to give me an insight to their day to day job?
Or, is there anybody else who might have some opinions on other jobs which may meet my very vague points above?
If you made it this far, thanks for reading…please help!
If you haven't done so, search for every oil and gas recruiter you can and fire your CV at them.
Happy to help if this is a path you would like to consider.
iacabu said:
Thanks for the replies, it all helps when considering a change.
I had a look at CIPS qualifications the other day, I assume many employers would help you work towards this anyway?
IME, CIPS is a waste of time. Many employers consider it desirable, but the transferable skills are virtually nil.I had a look at CIPS qualifications the other day, I assume many employers would help you work towards this anyway?
I am currently working as a 'contracts and procurement specialist' for an oil and gas company. I am contractor which has its benefits and downsides, but thats for another discussion.
I deal with services/term contracts and one off projects. After discussion with end users/ those who will run the contract I will go out to tender for a variety of different services for the business, it could be a mechanical installation, it could be the cleaners for the site, it could be to install a new piece of refinery equipment on the site or to provide us with photo copiers/scanners to the offices. So my work is very varied, I have to deal with a wide range of values in my contracts to insignificant to large spends. kinda keeps me on my toes.
We have to do the full tender process from finding possible suppliers, sending out tender documents, evaluating the tenders through to drafting up the contract that gets issued for signing and then carrying out reviews periodically.
I have a degree in quantity surveying and not really been looking to get CIPS or anything like that, but only been in the role for 3 months. I am very happy in the role, loving this industry way more than construction. the pay is better, the hours good, plenty of prospects as its an industry that seems to be short on resources at the moment.
if your thinking of it, have a look on 'oil and gas careers' and see whats out there. but i'm quite liking the procurement role, you get all the negotiations and stuff, without the hassle of dealing with the end result!
I deal with services/term contracts and one off projects. After discussion with end users/ those who will run the contract I will go out to tender for a variety of different services for the business, it could be a mechanical installation, it could be the cleaners for the site, it could be to install a new piece of refinery equipment on the site or to provide us with photo copiers/scanners to the offices. So my work is very varied, I have to deal with a wide range of values in my contracts to insignificant to large spends. kinda keeps me on my toes.
We have to do the full tender process from finding possible suppliers, sending out tender documents, evaluating the tenders through to drafting up the contract that gets issued for signing and then carrying out reviews periodically.
I have a degree in quantity surveying and not really been looking to get CIPS or anything like that, but only been in the role for 3 months. I am very happy in the role, loving this industry way more than construction. the pay is better, the hours good, plenty of prospects as its an industry that seems to be short on resources at the moment.
if your thinking of it, have a look on 'oil and gas careers' and see whats out there. but i'm quite liking the procurement role, you get all the negotiations and stuff, without the hassle of dealing with the end result!
If you're willing to commute over to Leeds from Lancashire, then I'm recruiting at the moment. We get involved in strategic procurement for lot's of different categories on behalf of our clients.
Send me your CV (or anyone else reading this thread).
If mods allow I'll pop the job decription in this thread?
Send me your CV (or anyone else reading this thread).
If mods allow I'll pop the job decription in this thread?
I'm also a buyer although my role is somewhat varied.Originally I started in stock control and moved across when that role couldn't progress any further...currently working in an Oil and Gas related company,generally the day combines new supplier development/rfq's/mrp runs etc etc, aswell as being category manager for a couple of speciifc areas.. As for travelling, so far this year i've been to France/Germany/Poland/Spain...
Would I say it's a good job, pretty much yes although personally i'm looking at a change soon as i've been in this role for 8 years now. Regarding CIPS,current employer has no interest in it and some i've spoken to are the same....it's useful if you've never done the job before as it's very much 'ideal world purchasing', however if you've any experience over 2 years it's benefit is somewhat questionable imho.
Hope this is of some help.
Would I say it's a good job, pretty much yes although personally i'm looking at a change soon as i've been in this role for 8 years now. Regarding CIPS,current employer has no interest in it and some i've spoken to are the same....it's useful if you've never done the job before as it's very much 'ideal world purchasing', however if you've any experience over 2 years it's benefit is somewhat questionable imho.
Hope this is of some help.
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