If you’re aspiring to embark on a career as a professional buyer, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll explore the crucial steps you need to follow when becoming a professional buyer.

One can divide your required “skills” in three group.

• Personal general skills (languages, presentation technique, etc).
• Knowledge of market and company (relevant supplier market and the company (where you have a position) specific knowledge (products)).
• Procurement skills.

Learn more in following video about LHTS’ competence model (also found in LHTS Introduction course)

LHTS provides Procurement Skills!

Step 1: Get a Degree

As a young person, the first step to becoming a professional buyer is to get a degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field. Add on specific procurement skills by attending the Learn How to Source 10w basic level Certification program.

If you are in the middle of your career, and have gathered work experience, you can attend LHTS Certificate program, gain access to basic procurement knowledge and redirect your career to procurement.

Step 2: Gain Work Experience

To become a professional buyer, you need to gain work experience in the field. Look for internships or entry-level positions in procurement departments to gain experience in the industry. As you gain experience, you can take on more responsibility and work your way up to a professional buyer position.

Step 3: Build Relationships

Building relationships is an essential part of being a successful professional buyer. You need to establish trust with your suppliers and work closely with them to achieve your procurement goals. Networking events, conferences, and industry associations are great places to build relationships with suppliers and other procurement professionals. Why not connect with Fredrik at LinkedIn

Step 4: Develop Technical Skills

To become a professional buyer, you need to have a solid understanding of procurement technology and software. You should be familiar with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, e-procurement software, and supplier management tools. Learn more about Digitization of Procurement. Usually these tools are set up specifically for the organization you are working for.

Step 5: Earn advanced Certifications

Earning certifications is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in procurement and increase your credibility as a professional buyer. Some of the most respected certifications include Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or Learn How to Source Advanced certificate for the Tactical buyer role.

Step 6: Stay Current

Procurement is an ever-evolving field, and it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. Subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences, and participate in webinars to stay current and enhance your knowledge. Learn How to Source we provide a Newsletter (LinkedIn) with links to interesting blogposts and news.

Conclusion

Becoming a professional buyer takes time and effort, but it is a rewarding career path that offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement. By following these essential steps, you can develop the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become a respected and successful professional buyer in the procurement industry.

Learn How to Source offers a unique blend of online and in-person learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of procurement professionals. Our blended learning method combines the flexibility of online courses with the personalized interaction of online meeting. This hybrid approach ensures that learners can access high-quality content at their own pace while also benefiting from direct engagement with industry experts and peers during in-person workshops and seminars.

In contrast, many other procurement learning providers primarily focus on either online or in-person training.

Online-only providers often offer the convenience of learning from anywhere at any time, but they may lack the interactive and hands-on experiences that in-person training can provide. While these online courses can be highly accessible and efficient, they sometimes miss out on the personalized feedback and networking opportunities that come from direct human interaction.

On the other hand, providers that emphasize in-person training sessions can deliver immersive, face-to-face learning experiences that foster deeper connections and real-time feedback. However, these programs can be less flexible, requiring attendees to travel and commit to specific schedules, which might not be feasible for all professionals, especially those with demanding work commitments or limited budgets.

At Learn How to Source, the blended learning approach strikes a balance between these two methods. LHTS offer comprehensive online modules that cover essential procurement topics, allowing learners to study at their own convenience. These modules are complemented by interactive in-person sessions where participants can apply their knowledge, engage in discussions, and receive immediate feedback from instructors and peers. This combination not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that learners can develop practical skills and build valuable professional networks.

Moreover, LHTS courses are designed by industry experts who bring real-world experience and insights, ensuring that the content is both current and relevant. This focus on practical application helps learners to immediately implement what they have learned in their professional roles, driving tangible improvements in their procurement practices.

In summary, while other providers might offer either the flexibility of online learning or the depth of in-person training, Learn How to Source integrates the best of both worlds through our blended learning approach. This ensures a comprehensive, flexible, and engaging learning experience that effectively meets the needs of modern procurement professionals. 

At the end, LHTS wish you the best of luck and are looking forward to see you in one of our courses in your way to becoming a professional buyer. 

Note: Illustration to the blogpost “Becoming a professional buyer – your new career?” is created by Chat-GPT on May 2, 2024.