ABSTRACT
The procurement function is critical to the success of a company with a goal of sourcing the best quality items, at the best price, at the right delivery time allowing manufacturing to produce and ship quality items to the customer. In many cases, larger companies with multiple facilities and divisions utilize a centralized procurement structure with all the purchasing staff reporting to procurement executive to gain economies of scale and purchasing leverage. Procurement execution processes, on the other hand, include activities such as requisitioning, purchase orders, goods receipts, and invoicing, and establish structured, easily understood and used systems and tools to streamline execution and manage compliance for end-users. The requirements for procurement careers vary from company to company, but a bachelor's degree in business is typically a starting point-although this is not always required for an entry-level position, especially if one has a certification, as will be discussed shortly.
