Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist

Alternate Titles

Logistics specialist, logistician, and industrial engineer.

Brief Job Description

Procurement and supply chain specialists manage supply chain logistics, including sourcing, transport, and management of marine energy equipment, materials, and products. 

Education and Training Level Description

Procurement and supply chain specialists can be hired with an associate's degree or postsecondary certificate, but a bachelor's degree is often required for most positions. Procurement and supply chain specialists most often have a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management, business, or a related field. Several certifications exist that can be beneficial to demonstrate knowledge of logistics (Association for Supply Chain Management and the International Society of Logistics), but a certification is not required.

Job Profile

Procurement and supply chain specialists keep marine energy business logistics efficient. Currently, the marine energy industry is in the early stages of development, but as the industry grows and produces goods on a larger scale, the industry will demand more procurement and supply chain specialists.  They will coordinate the sourcing, transport, and inventory of materials into the business as well as the transport and delivery of final equipment to consumers. Procurement and supply chain specialists will coordinate with material suppliers, manufacturing teams, construction teams, and customers to get materials and products when and where they need to be. Procurement and supply chain specialists often use sophisticated software programs to plan, manage, and track the movement of goods, sometimes for equipment that is large and requires complex trucking logistics to transport. Additionally, marine energy procurement and supply chain specialists may need to consider both land and ocean delivery logistics.

Procurement and supply chain specialists typically:

• Develop business relationships with material and component suppliers as well as buyers
• Understand buyer's logistical needs and how to meet them
• Direct the transport, inventory, and warehousing of materials and final products
• Develop strategies to maximize efficiency and minimize time required to move goods
• Review a business' supply chain logistics and identify areas to increase efficiency
• Present logistical performance data and suggest improvements to management
• Stay up-to-date on advances in logistics technologies and incorporate new technologies into procedures.

Job Skills

Procurement and supply chain specialists typically need:

• Organizational skills. Procurement and supply chain specialists must be able to multitask, keep detailed records, and manage several projects at once in a fast-paced workplace.
• Communication skills. Procurement and supply chain specialists need strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and do business with suppliers and customers.
• Critical thinking skills. Procurement and supply chain specialists must develop, adjust, and successfully carry out logistical plans, and they often must find ways to cut costs and improve efficiency.
• Problem-solving skills. Procurement and supply chain specialists must handle unforeseen circumstances, such as supply chain or delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on logistics jobs, see: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Logisticians

Resources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Logisticians