If the role of a Procurement Analyst interests you, here’s an example of a job description taken from a job ad on MyCareersFuture:
Key Responsibilities
- Forecast the amount of goods to procure and assist in the monthly procurement process of orders based on historical sales data
- Maintain accurate inventory and packaging components inventory from service providers and suppliers
- Track and update inbound shipment statuses from various suppliers to 3rd party warehouse service providers
- Consolidate supply-related data into clear, structured weekly reports for internal stakeholders
- Work with operations and finance teams to ensure accurate supplier invoice matching to price of raw materials
- Support improvements in supply chain reporting, procurement tracking, and documentation accuracy
Just for context, “new collar jobs” are jobs that requiring a combination of technical skills without the need for a specialised degree.
Formal education is not always the best indicator of capability — what truly matters is whether a candidate has the right skills and mindset to perform in a fast-evolving workplace.
Shangari Manoharan, Associate Director of Technical Practice at Michael Page, shares more about this genre of new collar role in the sector, and useful tips for jobseekers and career switchers about it.
Why are Procurement Analysts are considered “new collar”?
The term “new collar” refers to roles that demand specialised technical and analytical skills, often acquired through certifications, applied learning or reskilling, rather than traditional academic degrees.
Procurement Analysts use data insights to optimise spend, identify cost drivers, monitor supplier performance and model demand scenarios.
What has changed about it compared to its previous iteration, or what has changed in the sector that has led to this role becoming prominent and needed?
Several forces are driving the transformation of procurement into a data-driven, high-impact function.
With the adoption of various tools like SAP Ariba, Coupa and Oracle Procurement Cloud, procurement has evolved into a data rich function where professionals are expected to interpret dashboards, perform procurement analytics and transform data into actionable strategies.
Beyond cost reduction, procurement analysts now play a strategic role in managing supplier risk, forecasting trends and planning comprehensive procurement strategies.
At the same time, automation is eliminating repetitive tasks, driving demand for more strategic and tech-savvy professionals.
Upskilling initiatives such as SkillsFuture and Career Conversion Programmes are supporting this transition by equipping professionals with the skills needed to thrive in this new landscape.
What are the career and salary prospects of this role?
Procurement-focused new collar roles offer attractive compensation and career progression.
Professionals with digital fluency and analytics skills are especially in demand in Singapore’s evolving economy.
Salary prospects of Procurement Analyst ranges between $4,500 and $7,000 per month.
Looking for a new role? Explore over 100,000 jobs available on MyCareersFuture now!
What are the skillsets required in order to take up this role?
Today’s world requires procurement analyst to be both strategic and data-savvy.
Key technical skills for this role include proficiency with ERP and procurement systems such as SAP Ariba, Oracle and Coupa, as well as expertise in data visualisation tools like Tableau, Power BI and advanced Excel.
Additionally, strong capabilities in spend analytics and supplier performance tracking are essential.
Equally important are soft skills such as analytical thinking, effective communication, cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management and negotiation skills supported by data-driven insights.
For mid-career switchers, what is necessary in order to move from another industry or job into this role?
Occasionally, we have seen mid-career switchers from finance, supply chain and sales successfully transitioning into procurement analyst roles by:
- Enrolling in upskilling programmes focused on digital procurement and analytics
- Taking on procurement related projects or temporary roles to gain experience
- Using transferable skills such as negotiation, analysis or vendor management
Is this role needed for more than one industry? What are the unique skillsets that would differ for this role from industry to industry that are worth picking up for better career health?
Procurement Analysts are widely needed in pharmaceuticals, banking, retail, and energy. Do take note:
- Pharmaceuticals: Requires supplier compliance tracking skills
- Retail: Focuses on pricing and lead time analysis skills
- Banking: may require strong governance and audit-ready documentation skills
This article was done in collaboration with Michael Page.
