How to become a procurement and purchasing agent or officer
Official title: Procurement and purchasing agents and officers
Also called: Land agent, Purchasing agent, Contracts officer, Buyer - purchasing, Purchasing officer, Right-of-way agent, Procurement officer, Stewardship officer, Purchasing supervisor, Hotel purchasing agent, Procurement specialist, Hotel purchasing officer
Procurement and purchasing agents and officers source and purchase general and specialized equipment, materials, business services and land or access rights for use or for further processing by their establishment. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.
Main tasks
- Procurement agents and officers
- Evaluate risk, assess, prepare forecasts, scenarios and other factors concerning the supply market, and write reports and recommendations
- Provides research and input into the financial sourcing aspects of contracts and calls for tender when information is not readily available
- Identify high impact cost reduction opportunities
- Leverage the organization's buying power to optimize costs, access new suppliers, reduce lead times, and guarantee supply
- Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential buyers and suppliers to the organization
- Respond to customer service inquiries and clarify requirements and provide information as needed
- Purchasing agents and officers
How to become one
Procurement and purchasing agents and officers usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics. Procurement and purchasing agents and officers purchasing specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor's degree or college diploma in engineering may be required for purchasers of industrial products. A certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) may be required. Previous experience as a purchasing clerk or as an administrative clerk may be required. Certification from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) may be required. Sourcing specialists and analysts usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in economics, logistics, operations management, finance, engineering, mathematics, or statistical analysis. Previous work experience in supply chain for sourcing specialists and analysts is usually required.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 33% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Business administration, management and operations; Business/commerce, general; Accounting and related services.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $70,317 a year The middle half earn $56,258 to $89,057.
- About 80,500 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 96,100 are projected by 2033. (+19.4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Employment insurance and revenue officers
- Conference and event planners
- Executive assistants
- Human resources and recruitment officers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a procurement and purchasing agent or officer?
Procurement and purchasing agents and officers usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics. Procurement and purchasing agents and officers purchasing specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor's degree or college diploma in engineering may be required for purchasers of industrial products. A certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) may be required. Previous experience as a purchasing clerk or as an administrative clerk may be required. Certification from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) may be required. Sourcing specialists and analysts usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in economics, logistics, operations management, finance, engineering, mathematics, or statistical analysis. Previous work experience in supply chain for sourcing specialists and analysts is usually required.
How much does a procurement and purchasing agent or officer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $70,317 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $56,258 to $89,057.
Is a procurement and purchasing agent or officer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2033, from about 80,500 to about 96,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a procurement and purchasing agent or officer?
Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03