Purchasing/Supply Officer
Purchasing/supply officers buy or supply equipment, materials and services at the best price and quality for an organisation.
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Pay per yearOfficers Managers |
Job opportunitiesGood |
What you'll do
Purchasing/supply officers may do some or all of the following:
- Work with staff and management to define their needs
- Keep up to date with market trends in the industry in which they work
- Research and identify new suppliers
- Strategise communicating and working with suppliers for orders
- Build relationships and negotiate prices with suppliers
- Order and purchase goods and services that the business needs
- Keep accurate records of payment and delivery of goods and services
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to become a purchasing/supply officer, however most employers require a tertiary qualification.
A tertiary qualification in procurement or purchasing and supply management can be useful.
For more information about your study options see: Areas of specialisation: Business
Personal requirements
Purchasing/supply officers need to be:
- Good at communicating
- Able to follow a budget
- Good at planning and time management
- Methodical and accurate, with an eye for detail
- Good at negotiating
- Able to work well under pressure
What are the chances of getting a job?
The demand for purchasing/supply officers is growing as businesses and government agencies aim to run more efficiently and profitably.
There are currently more job vacancies than applicants, so the job is in high demand across a range of government agencies, councils and private industries including construction and infrastructure, manufacturing, IT and aged care.
Procurement manager (senior purchasing/supply officer) appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled purchasing/supply officers from overseas to work in New Zealand.
Types of employers varied
Most medium to large organisations employ purchasing/supply officers to buys the goods needed for their organisation.
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This information is a guide only. Last updated 25 March 2025.