Yes! And I highly recommend it. People fall into procurement from all different backgrounds. You can generally get a position as a buyer with just transferable skills from elsewhere, rather than direct buying experience. Although many employers require a degree. Pay very much depends on industry so can vary. Once in procurement, a CIPS qualification can be useful but isn't usually required for specific roles.

i was really lucky in some respects and fell into Procurement - it felt like right place right time. After wanting a career change aged 29/30 (fairly well qualified and successful first career just not for me) I started at a local authority when they were taking on procurement officers but were willing to train and pay for CIPS qualifications. That was about years ago and I’m really glad I made the move, you meet some really interesting people and there’s some great learning opportunities.

As my experience is public sector I can only speak for that - there’s definitely progression opportunities around and a combination of CIPS qualms and varied experience is key from my experience to find progression and pay increases.

A relative is in this, in a university. They enjoy it after thinking it was going to be boring initially! Kind of fell into after working in hospitality/ sales type jobs. Good pay and conditions. Had to do lots of exams but these have led to promotion. Get to buy lots of cool bits of kit costing millions!

Sorry slow reply!

Yes there is progression, I moved to senior buyer after 5 years and purchasing manager after another 5, probably could have been sooner for both but there were maternity leaves and covid.

Private sector pay is generally better, plus public sector have to follow the public procurement directive which is more constricting. It's more like, automotive is better paid than retail buying, for example.

In my sector (industrial/manufacturing), senior buyers should expect £40-50k, purchasing managers £60-70k. I'd say it's a well paid sector.

Must have skills: communication, active listening, team work, stakeholder management, quick to learn, analytical skills, problem solving. So very transferable. I only have private sector experience but each company has a different culture, but generally you're looking for an attitude of collaboration, win win solutions, but also efficiency - don't spend too much time on the tiny contracts!

I would say that as a gross generalisation, the higher you go the less direct supplier contact you have - I only get involved in tough negotiations now. But I do a lot more strategy work. At a lower level, you're looking at being everything to everyone - solving delivery issues, finding new suppliers, assessing technical requirements, initial negotiation, preparing tenders, basic market research. I started in retail buying which was fab as it's fast moving and you see the product you've bought on shelf fairly quickly, so very satisfying. But not as well paid!