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Buying, Purchasing and Procurement

Buying 

Buying is dictated by what the customer wants, the new brands, the market, and the trends. As a buyer, you will need to anticipate, identify and react to new opportunities that arise. Since the pandemic and the growth of online services there is a big demand for buyers, merchandisers, marketers and logistics professionals, and so wider scope for professional and personal growth within this industry. Employers within the sector are looking for applicants with a working knowledge of the technological innovations influencing the ever-changing marketplace. Consumer goods companies are popular employers, often because of the appeal to work for a well-known brand, the broad career opportunities, and scope for development.   

Procurement and Purchasing 

The terms purchasing and procurement are sometimes used interchangeably but in reality, especially for larger corporates, they are different but highly connected functions. Procurement is the broader concept which involves research, supplier identification, strategic planning and budgeting that happens first to be able to source the goods.  Purchasing is the actual buying process. To understand further the difference between procurement and purchasing listen to What is Procurement v Purchasing (youtube.com). Procurement and Purchasing sit within the larger area of Supply Chain Management.  

Public sector procurement in the UK is substantial with a gross spend of £407 billion in 2023/24 (and predicted rises of 10% in 2024/25) according the House of Commons library, with Health, Economic Affairs, Social Protection and Defence the biggest spenders. The Procurement Act 2023 which came into force in February 2025, requires contracts over £5million to have at least 3 key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess ongoing performance and aims to create a simpler, more transparent system, more open to smaller businesses and social enterprises to bid for public contracts.  

There are fantastic opportunities outside of the public sector also in both private business and not for profit/voluntary sectors.   

To do further research into this sector, the following webpages may be useful:  

Job Roles & Profiles 

Sector news. 

See also related sector pages:

Skills employers look for

Employers look for a combination of technical knowledge and soft skills, and every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  However, some general business and commercial and financial awareness, such as an understanding how businesses work and managed is advantageous.  The skills below are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for.    

  • Adaptability - Navigating changing circumstances, such as market conditions, price fluctuations and consumer habits.
  • Analytical thinking and numerical skills - Ability to analyse data, facts and figures, compare supplier prices, assess cost savings, and interpret market trends. 
  • Negotiation and communication – Strong interpersonal skills to negotiate with suppliers and develop relationships. Written communication for contracts and reports. 
  • Organisation – Ability to manage competing demands.
  • Time management - Prioritising tasks to meet deadlines.
  • Attention to detail - Ensuring accuracy in an industry where mistakes can be costly. 
  • Awareness of procurement tools and systems, such as e-procurement platforms and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP and Oracle. 
  • Technically proficient in MS Office Skills; Word, PowerPoint and Excel.  

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term. Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:  

Volunteering 

While direct procurement roles may be rare in volunteering, many opportunities can help you develop transferable skills such as negotiation, budgeting, supplier coordination, and project management. 

  • The Students’ Guild  (Exeter campuses) and the Students' Union (Cornwall campuses) advertise volunteering opportunities these range from student led projects to external volunteering opportunities. 
  • Volunteering in local charity shops: gain hands-on experience in stock management, pricing strategies, and customer service—core aspects of procurement and purchasing roles.
  • Society Treasurer or Fundraising Officer: Manage budgets, oversee expenditures, and coordinate fundraising activities within student societies. These responsibilities develop financial and decision-making skills relevant to procurement roles. 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements
  • Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university
  • The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience
  • Student Business Partnerships is a key opportunity to participate in paid internships with local businesses, potentially involving procurement, supply chain management, or vendor relations. These roles offer practical experience in a business setting
  • Pathways to Charity and Development Programme: Engage in training sessions covering topics like fundraising, governance, and volunteer management. This programme offers insights into financial planning and resource allocation within organisations. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. 

Applying speculatively involves finding organisations that interest you and getting in touch, always with a named contact. Be specific about why you are writing to them and what you’re looking for. Show your enthusiasm for the sector and highlight any relevant skills. Don’t give up if you don’t get a reply – follow up with a phone call or email to show that you’re keen.  

Finding part time work  

See Casual jobs for sources of work experience. 

  • Exeter Student’s Guild – Part-time work within the Guild.
  • Indeed – Apply filters such as "part-time" and “student” to find relevant roles. 

 Above are some useful sites for finding part-time work in the UK. However, you could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students. 

Get started finding companies using the websites listed below: 

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.

Graduate schemes and internships 

Use these resources to find additional advertised work experience: 

Specialist recruitment agencies:  

Many agencies will be looking for experienced candidates and may be happy to talk to you about getting into this work area.  

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.    

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

  • Procurement Qualifications | CIPS – Advance your procurement career with a globally established qualification.
  • Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) — ISBL - An organisation representing procurement and supply chain specialists which supports with qualifications.
  • GSA UK - Home - Supports careers in global tech and business services, connecting students with industry insight, expert knowledge, and a trusted professional network.
  • Home - Procurement Leaders -connects future professionals with leading insights in procurement strategy and leadership, offering access to industry trends and real-world best practices.
  • Institute for Supply Chain (ISC) Home - is the world’s largest supply management organization, offering students access to a global network, industry resources, and career development opportunities.
  • Procurement and Contract Management (CIPFA) - CIPFA is the global professional body for public financial management, uniquely focused on supporting careers in public sector finance.
  • British Retail Consortium (BRC) – BRC is the trade association for British retailers.  Its membership comprises of 200+ major retailer as well as thousands of independent retailer members.
  • The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) – CILT is the chartered body for professionals involved in the movement of goods and people and associated supply chain networks.