Bis Henderson recruiters frequently find that employers are unclear on which specific attributes they should look for in a candidate during a procurement recruitment campaign.
This is especially the case when a traditional purchasing department needs to update in order to meet the demands of an increasingly complex supply chain operation. So, we’re going to share how to navigate procurement recruitment and the best questions to ask in order to find the ideal candidate for your role and organisation. Keep reading to ask the right questions.
How to Navigate Procurement Recruitment
Firstly, it is essential for there to be no communication gaps between HR, the hiring manager and the recruiting team when selecting the resourcing model. It’s not unusual for a procurement job specification to change radically once the role is clearly defined. The employer may well overlook key talents and valuable personality traits that would be of considerable benefit and even more so when hiring for a brand new position in the team.
Bis Henderson is fully aware that the client needs more than a procurement recruitment service, and their consultants will always offer strategic advice on long-term planning for future staffing requirements, ensuring not only stability but also innovation. Although well-constructed CVs should give a good indication of qualifications, work history and interests, only during the face-to-face interview will broader qualities be established.
Procurement management is a people-centered role and calls for the ability to work well as part of a project team and communicate effectively not only with colleagues but also with customers and suppliers. The interview gives the opportunity to explore how the candidate spends their leisure time and will provide far more clues to the overall personality than may be expected. Someone who enjoys networking, for example, is likely to be a good listener and open to the ideas of others, far more than a candidate who has more introverted pastimes. Interview questions should establish whether they take part in activities that require effort and discipline and if they enjoy learning new skills.
An eagerness for personal development shows the right mindset for improvement and progression in the workplace. Are they creative? Creativity generally stimulates a natural desire to upgrade procedures and initiate change. If the candidate is able to show they are happy to accept responsibility outside of work, the indication is that they are comfortable in taking the lead and will be capable of making decisions under pressure and rapidly coming up with a solution.
Efficient procurement management doesn’t entirely rest on an aptitude for figures focusing on price. Bis Henderson recruiters understand the priorities and objectives in sourcing the right people from the right places and how to always ask the right questions.
Strategic Procurement Interview Questions
When it comes to procurement specialist interviews, the ultimate goal is to discern a candidate’s prowess in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier contract management. Their past experiences, technical competencies, and adept problem-solving skills should be under scrutiny to ensure a successful fit for your team.
To really understand how a candidate may fit your organisation and the specific role you’re recruiting for, it’s best to ask questions in four categories: situational, soft skills, role-specific and STAR (situation, task, action and result). Let’s dive into some of the best procurement questions to ask your candidates:
Situational Interview Questions:
Approaching Unique Challenges:
You need to acquire a specialised piece of equipment for a crucial project, but suppliers in the region are scarce. How would you tackle this situation?
Supplier Dilemmas:
Your trusted supplier for years suddenly goes bankrupt. How do you ensure timely and cost-effective procurement to meet organisational needs?
Quality Control:
A supplier delivers materials falling below agreed-upon quality standards. How would you address this situation?
Choosing the Best Option:
Faced with two highly competitive bids during procurement, both challenging to decide between, how do you determine the best option for your organisation?
Cost Reduction Strategies:
Your organisation is tasked with reducing procurement costs without compromising quality. What approach would you take?
Role-Specific Interview Questions:
Procurement Tools Proficiency:
How proficient are you with procurement tools like SAP Ariba or Coupa? Provide an example of their effective use in your past roles.
Supplier Performance Evaluation:
Detail the process you follow to evaluate supplier performance and ensure adherence to required quality standards.
Data Analytics in Procurement:
How have you utilised data analytics to support procurement decisions? Provide an example of how data insights impacted your decision-making.
Contract Management Software:
How familiar are you with contract management software like DocuSign or Apttus? Share instances where you used these tools in contract management.
Legal or Ethical Challenges:
Have you encountered legal or ethical issues in procuring goods or services? Provide an example and explain how you resolved them.
Soft Skills Interview Questions:
Negotiation Expertise:
Describe a time when you negotiated a contract or purchase agreement. What strategies did you employ for a mutually beneficial outcome?
Workload Management:
How do you prioritise your workload and manage competing deadlines?
Stakeholder Communication:
How do you effectively communicate with stakeholders and cultivate lasting relationships?
Navigating Challenges:
Share an instance when you navigated a challenging situation with a supplier or internal team member. How did you handle it?
Collaborative Work Environment:
Explain your approach to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, particularly when working with cross-functional teams.
STAR (situation, task, action and result) Interview Questions:
Procurement Project Overview:
Walk me through a procurement project you managed. Describe the situation, your task, actions taken, and the results achieved.
Pressure Handling:
Describe a time when you worked under pressure to meet a procurement deadline. What was the situation, your task, the actions taken, and the results?
Issue Identification and Resolution:
Share a situation where you identified a procurement issue and took action to resolve it. Detail the situation, your task, actions taken, and the results.
Vendor Negotiation:
Tell me about a time when you negotiated with a vendor for better prices or terms. Describe the situation, your task, actions taken, and the results.
Innovation in Procurement:
Describe a procurement project where you implemented a new process or technology. Provide details on the situation, your task, actions taken, and the achieved results.
Need Some Help with Procurement?
Bis Henderson Recruitment are experts in procurement recruitment, with 30 years’ experience recruiting across the UK and internationally. We know what it takes to find the perfect candidate, with a range of tried and tested search tactics and an extensive operational background to match candidate experience to client requirements. So, if you want to ensure that you hire the right person, don’t hesitate to contact our team.