Since writing a blog on Supply Chain Management interview questions, I received lots of requests from people seeking to interview Buyer or Commodity Managers within the Procurement Function. Typically, such jobs are more suited for experienced managers in the field, but as newcomers or fresh buyers, these procurement interview questions are essential to start out on the right foot. If you are preparing for the next interview in the procurement function, knowing the answers of some of these questions will help you prepare better. And if you are looking for top tips how to find your next career move, you can benefit from reading 10 Ways on How to Successfully Find Supply Chain Jobs
- What qualities do you look for in a supplier? …
- Can you describe a situation when you had to negotiate a contract? …
- How do you communicate to managers that their purchasing request was rejected? …
- What purchasing software are you familiar with?
PROCUREMENT OFFICER Interview Questions And Answers!
17. “If there’s A Need To Buy Equipment That’s Beyond Company’s Budget, What Will Be Your Take?”
Scenario: For this question, the interviewer is trying to check on how good you are at managing a critical situation while ensuring that the project receives everything that it needs.
How to Answer: First, explain the importance of proper resource planning. Make sure to list down the techniques needed to handle the requests.
Q19: What do you like the most and the least about procurement?
Enjoying the job is one aspect not everyone finds easy. A real expert always loves the job yet would still have their likes and dislikes about procurement. Also, do not forget to ask questions which could ensure their integrity of dealings most importantly. You can learn more here.
22. “What Is TEU?”
Scenario: TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Units. It is a method of calculating vessel load or capacity, in units of containers that are twenty feet long. An important sourcing question that can be asked during interviews.
How to Answer: Remember to answer briefly but concisely.
Q15: Give me an example where you have to lead the cost reduction programme.
Since I am a supply chain guy and my focus is primarily on KPI’s like Inventory, On-Time Delivery, lead time reduction and so on and so forth, which, at times, I find it contradictory to the procurement guys main aim of cost reduction.
For example, I have gone into battle with some commodity managers who have agreed a very high batch size of machined parts to get the best price, which throws my Just in Time, lean means supply chain design out of the window! So, we need to find the right balance between cost reduction and best supply chain design to meet customer service targets and operational goals. So, to help my procurement friends, I have written a blog on 27 Uplifting Cost Reduction Strategies You Should Try , which I am sure they will find useful.
Q17: What do you think is the difference between Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing?
The best of this very interesting question is in my very frequently read blog “STRATEGIC SOURCING VS. PURCHASING – 7 KEY DIFFERvENCES”
