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Image of career: Procurement Assistant

Procurement Assistant

Overview

Procurement assistants are responsible for raising purchase orders, maintaining sourcing records, and assisting in contractor selections.

Description

  • Audit documentation and contract terms required for trade transactions.
  • Build relationships with organisational networks and external vendors for procurement and supplier management.
  • Review records and information to determine the process and procedural effectiveness.
  • Draft proposal requirements or procurement details for potential sellers and negotiate terms for cost-effective purchasing.
  • Support data collection and procurement based on product specifications while operating new technologies and electronic tools.

Entry requirements

  • You'll need at least a Diploma in Operations or Logistics Management to get started in this field.
  • Having basic knowledge of supply chain processes and procurement procedures will give you an advantage in understanding the industry.

Salary

$2,900 – 3,700

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

Singapore procured the COVID-19 vaccines within 11 months of the first reported case. It involved a lot of planning, analyses, and risks. Singapore signed its first advanced purchase agreement with Moderna in December 2020.

What to expect

Double-check all details before placing orders to avoid expensive errors. Accuracy is important when dealing with dozens of orders daily.

Soft
skills

Communication

Strong ability to communicate for effective negotiation and internal collaboration.

Self-Management

Ability to independently organise workload, prioritise tasks, and manage time well.

Supply Management

Deep understanding of supply chain management principles for the efficient procurement of goods and services.

Microsoft Office Suite

Familiar with using Microsoft Office applications to create procurement documents and manage administrative tasks.

Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP)

Skilled in utilising SAP software to manage processes and ensure accuracy.

Basic Mathematics

Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts for budgeting, costing, and financial analysis.

Hard
skills

Frequently asked questions

Their work schedule is pretty regular, although they might need to work extra hours in instances where they are required to make urgent or time-sensitive deliveries such as vaccines.

Yes, there are some similarities between the two - both include packing orders and managing inventory. However, a procurement assistant is involved in the supply chain management very early on. This includes signing purchase agreements and the subsequent stages of procurement.

The first step is to understand the requirements. Then, identify potential suppliers, evaluate and shortlist them, request for quotation that outlines detailed specifications and negotiate. Finally, choose the supplier that best meets all the requirements.

Procurement assistants would prepare and research in order to give them leverage and strengthen their arguments. This helps define clear objectives for negotiations.

A potential challenge would be juggling multiple projects and requests with tight deadlines. It may be overwhelming if procurement assistants are not prepared, especially when unexpected issues arise.