If you’ve ever considered working in the procurement industry and wondered about the career trajectory, then set your sights on a position as a procurement specialist.

A procurement specialist has extensive experience in procurement or purchasing in addition to academic qualifications in a related field. Procurement specialists develop, complete and undertake the whole procurement process from conception to contract execution on behalf of an organisation.

At this level, many procurement specialists work as consultants and provide advice and guidance to organisations in a way that can be easily accepted and implemented.

We spoke to Procurement Specialist Elaine Lacey about her position as a consultant for Queensland Health to find out what it’s like to work at this level in the procurement industry.

Lacey is currently working across six government projects, and with her specific skill-set and experience in IT procurement she’s a unique business asset. “My skills in IT, finance, and business mean there are very few, if anyone, who can cover off procurement over the range of services that I offer,” she says.

She says her procurement specialisations include IT systems, software and services, consultancy, general services, surveys and audits.

Procurement Specialists Perform the Following Tasks:

• Preparation of tender documents:
  • Tender conditions
  • Tender questions and specifications
  • Guides and processes for offerors
  • Drafting contracts
• Market research and sourcing
• Analysis
• Probity review documents, probity advice, probity management
• Evaluation planning and assessment of offers including criteria and weightings for evaluation
• Evaluation selection reporting
• Business cases
• Negotiations
• Chair of negotiation panel
• Recommendations of successful offeror
• Review and development of contract for successful offeror
• Preparation of correspondence as applicable to the tender
• Contract publication and registration
• Legal reviews and consultation with legal
• Recordkeeping
• Contract management planning

 

Lacey says generally, a procurement officer focuses on one procurement process at a time or the development of procurement processes and tenders over a range of products and services. As such, they have a hierarchy in their reporting structure and would report to another officer about their work.

But at the highest level of procurement, complete management of the procurement process is expected.  “I develop, complete and undertake the whole procurement process from conception to contract execution,” says Lacey.

She says a typical day involves meetings and management consulting across a spectrum of procurement processes. “I give advice and consult as required. I’m often in consultation and meetings with project staff and executives.”

The autonomy, variety and complexity of the tendering process and developing documents is what she most enjoys about her job. “I love writing and research,” says Lacey. She also has a passion for the law, so enjoys compliance with legislation (as there are many mandatory requirements in tendering) the application of legislation, reviewing legislation and providing advice about legislation.

The most challenging is time-management in a role that involves multiple projects with competing demands. “I manage my time carefully as I am working across many projects with different groups and units and different financial cost centres for my time,” she says.

 

Inspired? Discover a Career in Procurement

Why not study a Procurement Specialist Program or Certificate of Procurement and Contract Management? These professional development courses are created in consultation with industry experts and will give you the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the procurement industry.

 

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