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Procurement Manager Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Procurement Manager interview questions and answers.

  1. What certifications do you have that you think sets you apart from other managers? See answer
  2. What interpersonal skills do you have that will help you maintain good relationships with key suppliers? See answer
  3. Can you give a brief description of what you think your duties are as a procurement manager? See answer
  4. Describe a scenario where you negotiated successfully with a supplier? How important was landing that deal?  See answer
  5. What is the key difference between strategic sourcing and purchase? See answer
  6. Explain a situation where you faced a major challenge at your previous job. What happened, and how did you handle the situation? See answer
  7. You will have to oversee some day-to-day supply transactions; how do you intend to handle these procurement activities? See answer
  8. Have you ever landed a significant discount from a supplier? How did you go about it? See answer
  9. How did you keep records of all your suppliers at your previous job? Do you think your strategy was effective? See answer
  10. What lengths would you go to stay on top of the relevant market trends?
  11. Was there a time at your previous job where you had to deal with a difficult supplier? How did you handle it?
  12. As a procurement manager, do you have any experience using supply chain management software? If so, which ones are you familiar with?
  13. You will have subordinates at work; how do you intend to be an effective leader?
  14. If a key supplier was proving to be unreliable, how would you handle that situation?
  15. If you get the job, what you intend to achieve?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Procurement Manager Interview Questions and Answers

What certifications do you have that you think sets you apart from other managers?

You most definitely want someone with the proper skills and training to take up the role of a procurement manager at your business. The candidate's certification is essential as it will give insight into how capable they are for the job. You might want to look out for:

  • Certification in supply chain management, logistics, or business administration
  • Any additional qualification your business might require
  • Interest in procurement management

Example:

"I have a Bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Alberta. I also have a Master's degree in supply chain management and global logistics from York University, Canada. I attend conferences and seminars on procurement management, and I assure you I'm very qualified for the task at hand. I'm always willing to get more certifications that'll help in the execution of my duties."

As a procurement manager, how do you intend to stay on top of the relevant market trends?

Depending on the nature of your business, it's essential to follow market trends to make profits. Whoever you're looking to hire should be able to stay on top of these trends, so you make cost-effective decisions as regards whatever you purchase. Look out for:

  • Ability to research 
  • Interest to pursue more knowledge in procurement management 
  • Curiosity to figure out
Example:

"the why"

"I'm a quick learner, and I'm never afraid to ask questions. I understand the importance of staying on top of market trends. With my training, I can read the market and understand its trends. I'm also keen on attending conferences and webinars to give me insight into how the world moves. I'm a hard worker, and I'm good at what I do. Your business would be my priority."

What interpersonal skills do you have that will help you maintain good relationships with key suppliers?

A procurement manager has to constantly relate with different people, especially suppliers. Having a good relationship with your suppliers would do your business some good. Building such a relationship would depend hugely on the interpersonal skills of your procurement manager. Look out for:

  • Good communication skills 
  • Ability to maintain favourable relationships 
  • Patience levels of the candidate

Example:

"I'm an amiable person, and I understand the requirements of my job. My communication skills, verbal and non-verbal, are great too. I would do my best to maintain a good relationship with all key suppliers. I also can stay calm amid conflict."

Can you give a brief description of what you think your duties are as a procurement manager?

This question tests the candidate's knowledge of their responsibilities as a procurement manager. If they're able to tell you a list of duties that you think your business needs, they're a good match for your business. You might want to look out for:

  • Knowledge of the duties of a procurement manager
  • Examples of when they have performed these duties
  • Tasks they expect to perform if hired

Example:

"As a procurement manager, it would be my responsibility to maintain a positive relationship with key suppliers, discover profitable suppliers, approve the ordering of goods, and finalise their purchase. I would also need to examine existing contracts with suppliers, formulate new contracts, perform risk management, and keep data on our suppliers. I learn on the job, and I would be willing to take on more duties where necessary."

Was there ever a time at your previous job where you had to deal with a difficult supplier? How did you handle that situation?

You need to ensure that the candidate has good experience in procurement management and has experience dealing with suppliers. This question also tests the candidate's ability to communicate calmly and diffuse conflict when necessary. It would help if you looked out for:

  • Experience working with different types of suppliers 
  • An example where they had to deal with a difficult supplier
  • Interpersonal skills

Example:

"At my previous job, I was responsible for securing winter wiper blades from a particular supplier. This supplier gave us a reasonable deal, one of the best in the market but kept mixing up our orders and was nonchalant about it, despite repeatedly discussing the issue with them. I decided to write an official letter to the head supplier, and we were able to immediately and amicably resolve the issue."

As a procurement manager, do you have any experience using supply chain management software? If yes, which ones are you familiar with?

Supply chain management software is the tool used in executing supply chain transactions. You want to hire a candidate that is up to speed on modern ways of managing their duties. This question tests the candidate's experience in this field and their skill set. You can look out for:

  • Knowledge of supply chain management software
  • Experience using supply chain management software
  • Technical skills

Example:

"Yes, I have some experience making use of supply chain management software. Such software is useful because it makes for more seamless execution of duties. At my previous job, I made use of the lean inventory tools and order processing tools, but I'm familiar with others and can apply them when required."

Describe a scenario where you negotiated successfully with a supplier? How important was landing that deal? 

This question aims to reveal the candidate's achievements, skills, and strengths. It also gives more insight into their work experience. You can look for:

  • Actual example 
  • Accomplishments at their previous job 
  • Negotiation skills

Example:

"I was working with a fast-food chain, and we just lost a key supplier that supplied us with raw potatoes. We needed another supplier who would offer the same deal or better. I was able to find one who agreed to supply at a way cheaper rate. That increased the profit margin of that particular chain."

What is the key difference between strategic sourcing and purchase?

This question tests the candidate's knowledge and technical know-how. Being able to tell a key difference is proof they're well prepared for the task at hand. Look out for:

  • Knowledge 
  • Technical skill
  • Ability to think on the spot

Example:

"Of course, I can. One key difference between strategic sourcing and purchase is that strategic sourcing extends beyond conventional purchasing and focuses on maintaining a good buyer-supplier relationship."

Explain a situation where you faced a major challenge at your previous job. What happened, and how did you handle the situation?

This question also tests the candidate's ability to overcome likely challenges they may face while executing their duties. Acknowledging that they face challenges is a good quality found in an employee. The strategies they use to solve these challenges are quite essential. Look out for:

  • Problem-solving skills 
  • Strategic thinking 
  • Candidate's resolve

Example:

"At my previous job, I had to navigate quite a few challenges such as low budget, unreliable suppliers, and late deliveries. It wasn't easy, but I was up to the task. There was a particular supplier that kept delivering orders late. However, due to strategic thinking and great communication skills, I was able to prevent this from affecting the business…"

You would have a few subordinates at work; how do you intend to be an effective leader?

This question also tests the candidate's interpersonal and leadership qualities. A procurement manager must effectively give instructions to subordinates and maintain a good relationship with them. Look for:

  • Leadership capabilities
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Good team player

Example:

"I have the interpersonal skills needed to lead a team of people. Building a good relationship with my subordinates is quite important to me. I'll make sure that we all work together as a team to allow for a seamless operation."

Describe how you would handle a situation where a key supplier was proving to be unreliable? 

This is a situational question, and it gives you insight into how well the candidate can handle this situation. The candidate's approach to this situation is instrumental to your business. Look out for:

  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Experience working with different types of suppliers
  • Strategies for handling unreliable suppliers

Example:

"No one is indispensable. If a key supplier is proving to be continuously unreliable, I will immediately begin to search for another supplier. At my previous engagement, I always had a backup supplier just in case our main supplier was unable to meet up our demands. That strategy seems to be effective."

If you do get the job, what you intend to achieve?

This question provides the candidate with an opportunity to sell themselves any way they can. They will play to their strengths and achievements. Any good candidate should have done proper research on your business and already have set goals aligned with your business goals. Look for:

  • Set goals 
  • Candidate's drive
  • Interest in your business

Example:

"If I get the job, your business would become my priority. I would strive to land the best deals and sustain a productive and profitable relationship with all key suppliers. I plan to bring in cost-effective strategies that will move your business forward."

You will have to oversee some day-to-day supply transactions; how do you intend to handle these procurement activities?

Testing the candidate's skills is essential. If they're able to present a cost-effective operational plan for the day-to-day activities, you might want to consider them for the job. You can look out for:

  • Risk management strategies
  • Cost reduction strategies
  • Work ethics and flexibility

Example:

"I intend to use all my skills to handle such daily procurement activities. I'm flexible, and I can think on my feet. These skills would make it easy for me to handle any surprises that may arise in the course of executing my duties."

Have you ever landed a significant discount from a supplier? How did you go about it?

This question allows the candidate to showcase their experience and talents in negotiation. It also tests their ability to communicate effectively. You might want to look out for:

  • Negotiating talents 
  • Good communication skills
  • An actual example

Example:

"At my previous job, I was able to maintain favourable relationships with all our key suppliers. Due to this trait of mine, securing discounts was quite easy. Treating the suppliers like family made it easy for me to negotiate discounts."

How did you keep records of all your suppliers at your previous job? Do you think your strategy was effective?

Testing the candidate's ability to keep records gives you insight into how well they'll go about executing their tasks. Their system of keeping records will make it easier for them to stay on top of your suppliers. Look for:

  • Record keeping experience
  • Record keeping strategies
  • Technical skills 

Example:

"At my previous job, I had a log. This log had different categories, each showing a particular supplier and what they supply. This strategy was effective, but I'm always keen on adopting more progressive means of keeping records."

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