When you need something, you head to the store to buy it. When a company or business needs something, they rely on a procurement logistics officer. The procurement logistics officer helps a business track down parts they may need to build their product, or she may look for different services the company needs to operate. Procurement logistics officers fall under the umbrella of purchasing agents and buyers, with women making up 55 percent of the industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regardless of whether you're male or female, your responsibilities as a procurement logistics officer are the same.
Meet the Job Requirements
Before you can complete the tasks of a procurement logistics officer, you must first fulfill the job qualifications. Some employers will hire procurement logistics officers with an associate degree, but many prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in business, process engineering or supply chain management. These degree fields give candidates the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill the job responsibilities, including offering training in logistics software and programs like database management and radio-frequency identification. Certification in logistics or purchasing is not required for employment, but can give you a leg up in the industry. Specialty certifications for procurement logistics officers include certified master logistician, certified professional logistician, certified professional public buyer and certified public purchasing officer.
Plan Ahead
As the job title suggests, your main job duties revolve around getting items or services for your company, but before you start buying, you’ll need find out what exactly you need. You’ll work with other employees and managers to determine the company’s needs and create a plan on how to obtain those items or services. You’ll look at sales forecasts, past purchases and product demand to come up with the type and number of items or services required. Working with the providers, you’ll plan out delivery schedules that fit both your schedule and the provider’s schedule.
Find the Right Product
Once you determine what your company needs, you’ll start checking out the companies that can provide those products or services. You’ll research the different products or services, assuring that they meet your company’s needs and ask for bids from companies to obtain the best pricing. After determining the best provider for what you need, you’ll create purchase requests and attempt to stick to a budget. You’ll fill out purchase orders and maintain databases or records of all your procurements. Often, the company will need certain items or services in a set amount of time, so you’ll need to follow those timelines and adhere to deadlines.
Maintain Company Policies
Each company sets its own rules and policies on procurement and as a procurement logistics officer, you’ll need to understand and follow those rules. You’ll also be sure that your fellow employees and anyone working underneath you follows the rules, too. Some procurement logistics officers analyze current procurement or logistics policies and look for ways to improve on the current policies to make the procurement process, and the company, more efficient. If necessary, you may conduct quality control checks on the items you’re obtaining to assure they are up to par.
Other Duties
When tax time comes around, you’ll submit any records of purchases to the company accountant or tax professional to file with the company's taxes. Depending on the company and your exact role, you may take on managerial duties, overseeing a staff of procurement and logistics agents. As a manager, you may be in charge of hiring and training new staff on your company’s policies and procedures. Whether in a managerial position or not, more than likely you’ll report to a superior, providing them with daily, weekly or monthly updates on your procurement activities.
References
Writer Bio
Lindsey Thompson began her writing career in 2001. Her work has been published in the Cincinnati Art Museum's "Member Magazine" and "The Ohio Journalist." You'll also find her work on websites like Airbnb, Chron.com, and USAToday.com. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.