What procurement professional should ask… …and how to prepare for a job interview.

In procurement, where every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and add value to our organization. In this ever-evolving field, continuous learning and professional development aren’t just desirable, they’re vital. But let’s face it, the path to growth isn’t always clear, and your employer’s culture and management style can either bolster your growth or limit it. So, how do you ensure you find the right fit? It all starts with asking the right questions.

Having met many buyers over the years my conclusion is that it is essential to ensure that both the candidate and the procurement department are well-aligned in terms of requirements, team fit, and mutual expectations. To facilitate a successful first interview, here are the key preparations a candidate should make:

Research the Company and Department

Expectations:

• Company Overview: The candidate should understand the company’s mission, vision, values, and culture.
• Department Insights: Knowledge about the procurement department’s role within the organization, its structure, and recent achievements or projects.

Preparation Tips:

• Review the company website, annual reports, and news articles. See LHTS post about Google Alert.
• Explore the company’s social media profiles and LinkedIn pages for the procurement team members.

Understand the Job Description

Expectations:

• Key Responsibilities: Familiarity with the primary duties and responsibilities outlined in the job description.
• Required Skills and Qualifications: An understanding of the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications for the role.

Preparation Tips:

• Match your experiences and skills with the job requirements.
• Prepare examples of how your background aligns with the job responsibilities.

Prepare Your Resume and Supporting Documents

Expectations:

• Updated Resume: Ensure your resume is up-to-date and tailored to highlight relevant procurement experience and achievements.
• Supporting Documents: Bring copies of certifications, reference letters, and any other relevant documents.

Preparation Tips:

• Customize your resume to emphasize experiences and skills that match the job description.
• Organize your documents neatly in a folder or digital format.

Reflect on Your Career Goals and Expectations

Expectations:

• Career Aspirations: Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how the position fits into your career path.
• Job Expectations: Have a clear understanding of your expectations regarding the role, including work environment, growth opportunities, and company culture.

Preparation Tips:

• Think about where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years and how this role can help you achieve those goals.
• Identify what you are looking for in a work environment and team dynamics.

Prepare to Discuss Relevant Experience and Achievements

Expectations:

• Experience: Be prepared to discuss your previous procurement roles, key projects, and accomplishments.
• Skills: Highlight your skills in areas such as change management, negotiation, supplier management, cost reduction, and compliance.

Preparation Tips:

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
• Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and contributions to past projects.

Understand the Company’s Products or Services

Expectations:

• Product Knowledge: Basic understanding of the company’s products or services and how the procurement function supports them.
• Industry Insight: Awareness of the industry in which the company operates and current trends.

Preparation Tips:

• Review the company’s product lines or services on their website.
• Research industry news and trends to understand the broader context in which the company operates.
• Learn about the Category in question and connected supplier market. 

Formulate Questions for the Interviewer

Expectations:

• Curiosity and Engagement: Show your interest in the role and the company by asking thoughtful questions.
• Clarification of Role and Expectations: Use questions to clarify any uncertainties about the job and align your expectations.
• Clarification of the potential of professional growth.

Preparation Tips:

• Key Questions Every Procurement Professional Should Ask: Below are some crucial questions that a procurement professional, particularly a senior buyer, should ask when choosing their future employer. Also included are the expected responses that indicate a positive environment for growth and development.
  • 1. Can you describe the company’s culture and how it encourages the professional development of its employees?
    • Expected answer: A progressive organization will showcase its commitment to professional development. Look for responses that include an open, supportive, and diverse culture, emphasis on training programs, mentorship opportunities, and a system for regular feedback and reviews.
  • 2. How is continuous learning integrated into the everyday work experience?
    • Expected answer: The best employers often have systems in place that foster continuous learning. This could involve regular training sessions, an e-learning portal, attendance at industry conferences, or even a culture of knowledge sharing among team members.
  • 3. What opportunities are there for career growth and advancement within the procurement department?
    • Expected answer: A positive response will demonstrate a clear path for advancement and development. If the company encourages internal promotions and offers clear career progression pathways, it shows their commitment to employees’ growth.
  • 4. Can you tell me about the procurement department’s relationship with other departments within the organization?
    • Expected answer: Collaboration and open communication between departments are signs of a healthy organization. Your employer should emphasize the importance of cross-functional teams and collaborative problem-solving.
  • 5. How does the organization handle innovations in procurement practices?
    • Expected answer: The world of procurement is continuously evolving. Your prospective employer should show a commitment to keeping up with industry trends and a willingness to adopt innovative practices, technology, and solutions.
  • 6. How are supplier relationships managed and nurtured?
    • Expected answer: Supplier relationships are at the heart of procurement. Expect an answer that demonstrates a commitment to ethical sourcing, long-term supplier partnerships, and regular supplier performance reviews.
  • 7. Can you describe how the organization handles risk management within procurement?
    • Expected answer: In an era of increasing supply chain complexity, the company’s approach to risk management is vital. Look for an organization with robust risk management strategies, contingency plans, and a commitment to transparency.
  • 8. How do you measure success within the procurement department?
    • Expected answer: A well-thought-out answer should involve not just cost-saving metrics, but also a focus on supplier performance, stakeholder satisfaction, and process efficiencies.
  • 9. Can you describe the main challenges your procurement team is currently facing and how you envision this role contributing to overcoming them?”
    • Explanation: This question shows that the candidate is proactive and interested in understanding the company’s specific pain points. It demonstrates your eagerness to add value and aligns your skills and experience with the company’s needs.
  • 10. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for this role, and how is performance typically measured and reviewed?”
    • Explanation: This question highlights the candidate’s focus on results and accountability. It reflects your desire to understand how their performance will be evaluated, which can help you align your efforts with the company’s expectations and goals.

Finding out more about the team

A candidate can certainly request to meet some of the procurement team members before signing. This can be a very positive move, demonstrating the candidate’s proactive approach and interest in understanding the team dynamics and work culture. Here’s how a candidate might approach this:

1. Requesting Through HR or Hiring Manager:
   • Formal Request: The candidate can ask the HR specialist or hiring manager directly if it’s possible to meet with a few members of the procurement team. This approach is transparent and professional. For example, they could say, “I would love to get a better understanding of the team dynamics and how the procurement team collaborates. Would it be possible to meet some of the team members before I make my decision?”
2. Advantages of Requesting Through the Company:
   • Transparency: This method keeps everything above board and shows respect for the company’s hiring process.
   • Facilitation: The HR or hiring manager can facilitate the introductions, ensuring the right people are involved and the meetings are productive.
   • Positive Impression: It demonstrates to the employer that the candidate is genuinely interested and serious about making an informed decision.

Contacting via LinkedIn:

• Private Messaging: While contacting team members via LinkedIn is an option, it can sometimes be seen as bypassing the official process, which might not always be well-received. It’s less formal and might be appropriate if the candidate already has a prior connection or if the company culture encourages such networking.
• Networking Approach: If choosing this route, the candidate should be professional and courteous in their approach. They could send a message like, “Hi [Name], I’ve applied for the [Procurement Specialist] position at [Company] and am very interested in learning more about the team. Would you be open to a brief conversation about your experience and the team culture?”

Overall, requesting through the official channels is generally the preferred and more professional approach, ensuring alignment with the company’s processes and maintaining transparency.

Summary: What procurement professional should ask

Choosing your future employer is a significant step, and the decision should not be taken lightly. As a procurement professional, your aim should be to grow, learn and add value every day. Make sure that the company you join supports and shares these goals. As a parting thought, remember that professional development is a two-way street. While the right employer can provide the tools and environment, it is up to you to take the initiative and make the most of these opportunities.

Learn How to Source promote Micro-learning as tool for continuous learning. In the course Continuously develop your procurement skills you will get a free quick introduction.

Microlearning is a learning approach that delivers small, bite-sized chunks of information that are easy to consume and remember. Our microlearning courses are designed to help you learn new skills quickly and efficiently, without the need for lengthy training sessions or expensive textbooks.

Key Questions Every Procurement Professional Should Ask before signing shall be considered as an inspiration when preparing a job interview. There are certainly more ways to prepare and more questions to be asked but I hope I have opened up a new perspective for you..

Good luck, and here’s to a fulfilling career in procurement!

Note: Illustrations to the blogpost “What procurement professional should ask” was created by Chat-GPT on June 8, 2024.