Procurement Officer

Source and buy goods and services for an organisation at the right price, quality and risk.

This UK procurement officer career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.

Quick facts

Starting salary
£26,000 - £35,000
Mid-career salary
£38,000 - £55,000
Senior salary
£65,000 - £95,000
Work environment
Office or hybrid
Time to entry
2 - 5 years
Degree required
Often required
Category
Business, Finance and Legal

What a Procurement Officer does

Source and buy goods and services for an organisation at the right price, quality and risk.

  • Indirect Procurement - Marketing, IT and facilities procurement.
  • Direct / Goods for Resale - Buying for manufacturers and retailers.
  • Public Sector Procurement - Run OJEU / Find a Tender procurements.
  • Construction Procurement - Subcontractor and materials procurement.

How to become a Procurement Officer

  1. Look up Procurement Officer roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
  2. Talk to someone already working as a Procurement Officer - even a 15-minute call helps
  3. Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
  4. Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
  5. Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month

Key skills

  • Tendering
  • Supplier mgmt
  • Negotiation
  • Contracts
  • Reporting