Hunter Campbell’s Mastering Supply Chain series profiles roles within the Supply Chain job family, including jobs in demand, wages, and employment prospects. The role of Purchasing Officer is in the spotlight this week.
Purpose of the Role
Purchasing Officers play a crucial role in maintaining optimal inventory levels by sourcing both general and specialised equipment or materials for their company’s use or further processing. They may also be responsible for acquiring services essential to the business’s daily operations. Purchasing Officers Work closely with Demand Planners and Supply Planners, to assess forecasts to identify the materials and equipment required for purchase.
In larger organisations, the purchasing function tends to be more diversified, with Purchasing Officers often specialising in specific categories. Conversely, smaller companies may have a single individual responsible for all purchasing activities. Purchasing Officers engage in purchasing both direct goods (e.g. raw materials, packaging) and indirect goods (e.g. utilities such as electricity and water).
These professionals typically work with pre-selected suppliers whose contracts have been negotiated by procurement teams. While Purchasing Officers do not generally engage in sourcing or contract negotiations, they frequently participate in supplier performance evaluations and conduct market research on suppliers.
Some Purchasing Officers manage the logistics of delivery following the issuance of purchase orders, monitoring the movement of goods from suppliers until they are received in the warehouse or delivered to customers.
Recruitment Forecast 2025
Reflecting on 2024, order sizes generally declined compared to previous years. However, we anticipate an increase in volumes moving forward, which will likely result in Purchasing Officers being busier than ever. To manage this demand, organisations may need to explore upskilling their teams through technology adoption or consider expanding the size of their purchasing teams.
Traditionally viewed as a transactional role, the position of Purchasing Officer has evolved to encompass greater involvement in decision-making processes. We’re already seeing a shift, with Purchasing Officers engaging more in tasks like testing, reviewing, and sourcing new suppliers—areas that were previously more aligned with procurement or sourcing roles. The lines between procurement and sourcing are increasingly blurred.
Purchasing Officers are now more frequently negotiating one-off deals, a task that historically fell under procurement. We expect this trend to grow, further embedding Purchasing Officers into strategic aspects of supply chain management.
Career Prospects
Candidates often progress to the role of Purchasing Officer after gaining experience in warehousing or administrative positions. Career advancement opportunities can lead to various roles within the supply chain or operations sectors.
Purchasing Officers may advance to roles such as Purchasing Manager or procurement specialist, where the focus shifts from transactional activities to strategic initiatives. Strategic procurement involves creative sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier performance management.
Qualifications
A common pathway into this role is obtaining a tertiary qualification specialising in supply chain management. Many professionals already in the field choose to further their education through NZPICS. Acquiring a relevant qualification signifies a commitment to continuous learning, enhancing candidates’ appeal to employers.
Key Skills Required
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency with ERP systems, Excel, and data analysis.
- Ability to perform under pressure, demonstrating high levels of organisation and prioritisation.
- Solution-oriented mindset, capable of troubleshooting quickly and working collaboratively with various stakeholders.
- Willingness to acquire in-depth product knowledge.
- Excellent communication skills for effective liaison with both internal and external stakeholders.
Salary Guide
The following salary ranges are based on anecdotal evidence from current and past recruitment efforts by Hunter Campbell and reflect base salaries only, excluding any bonuses or benefits.
- Junior: $55,000 – $70,000
- Intermediate: $70,000 – $80,000
- Advanced: $80,000 – $95,000
Salaries for Purchasing Officers, like those in many other roles, have increased over the past year but are now stabilising. Salary levels vary based on experience and the specific responsibilities of the position.
If you would like to find out more about the role of Purchasing Officer, please contact Senior Consultant Wayne Fry. Wayne specialises in the recruitment of Supply Chain, Procurement & Operations roles. For more news and views visit our website by clicking here, see what opportunities we have available here or follow us on LinkedIn.
