Global Procurement/Sourcing Specialist

Been doing 4 years in procurement, 2 in operational and 2 in strategic disciplines, both specialising in IT commodity.
Yet when I try to look elsewhere for new development in career, companies don't want me, keep saying need some commodity knowledge or something.

Or is IT buyer market too saturated?

Moving on to try project management for a while, and intending to return to procurement if not doing well. But not sure, people said my procurement knowledge is not sufficient although I have handled data centres, mobile equipment etc.

Originally Posted by obscure buyer

Been doing 4 years in procurement, 2 in operational and 2 in strategic disciplines, both specialising in IT commodity.
Yet when I try to look elsewhere for new development in career, companies don't want me, keep saying need some commodity knowledge or something.

Or is IT buyer market too saturated?

Moving on to try project management for a while, and intending to return to procurement if not doing well. But not sure, people said my procurement knowledge is not sufficient although I have handled data centres, mobile equipment etc.

i think there is quite a lot of people in IT procurement, especially those coming from the big IT companies like IBM and HP, where there is always lots of people coming from there

anyone can share more? especially if there are category or commodity managers out there

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Senior Indirects Buyer at a European pharmaceutical company. Currently drawing 8.3k with 5 years experience. No AWS, bonus 3 to 4 months on average.

Hi can you share with us on how do you start your career in procurement?

I have been trying to look for a job in the procurement function.

Indirect commodity manager, regional with a few reports. But my basic is only 117k annual, with less than 1 mth bonus.
IN FMCG MNC, I feel my salary is low when I look at the posts here. I have job hopped quite a bit and have started with Directs 1st.

My advice, to start in procurement, you can begin in ops as a buyer, stay 1 or 2 yrs then move on to strategy type of positions within procurement and sourcing, don't stay too long in ops. Also in your roles try to pick up many commodity knowledge and contracting even the ones you do not handle. I also find Indirects pay better in Singapore.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Indirect commodity manager, regional with a few reports. But my basic is only 117k annual, with less than 1 mth bonus.
IN FMCG MNC, I feel my salary is low when I look at the posts here. I have job hopped quite a bit and have started with Directs 1st.

My advice, to start in procurement, you can begin in ops as a buyer, stay 1 or 2 yrs then move on to strategy type of positions within procurement and sourcing, don't stay too long in ops. Also in your roles try to pick up many commodity knowledge and contracting even the ones you do not handle. I also find Indirects pay better in Singapore.

How many years of working experience?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How many years of working experience?

3 yrs ops, 6 strategic

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Indirect commodity manager, regional with a few reports. But my basic is only 117k annual, with less than 1 mth bonus.
IN FMCG MNC, I feel my salary is low when I look at the posts here. I have job hopped quite a bit and have started with Directs 1st.

My advice, to start in procurement, you can begin in ops as a buyer, stay 1 or 2 yrs then move on to strategy type of positions within procurement and sourcing, don't stay too long in ops. Also in your roles try to pick up many commodity knowledge and contracting even the ones you do not handle. I also find Indirects pay better in Singapore.

Thank you for your advice!

Does one typically start in ops?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Indirect commodity manager, regional with a few reports. But my basic is only 117k annual, with less than 1 mth bonus.
IN FMCG MNC, I feel my salary is low when I look at the posts here. I have job hopped quite a bit and have started with Directs 1st.

My advice, to start in procurement, you can begin in ops as a buyer, stay 1 or 2 yrs then move on to strategy type of positions within procurement and sourcing, don't stay too long in ops. Also in your roles try to pick up many commodity knowledge and contracting even the ones you do not handle. I also find Indirects pay better in Singapore.

i am currently an ops buyer, but just wondering if employers will be very particular about having certain commodity knowledge for moving up into category/commodity manager?

may i know also if it is good to have other kind of supply chain exposure(such as planner) in order to move up to managerial position

One does not typically start from ops but can be from junior procurement position, managing smaller spend portfolio or supplier accounts and then moving to higher spend portfolio.

Being technically sound in your area of expertise, good negotiation skills, stakeholders engagement skills, communication skills are what it takes to be a commodity manager.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

One does not typically start from ops but can be from junior procurement position, managing smaller spend portfolio or supplier accounts and then moving to higher spend portfolio.

Being technically sound in your area of expertise, good negotiation skills, stakeholders engagement skills, communication skills are what it takes to be a commodity manager.

Whats the difference between commodity, category , purchasing and supply chain manager?