Public purchaser: pragmatic, social and responsible? The new challenges facing the profession

As the orchestrator of public procurement procedures, public purchasers play a long-term role in optimising the economic performance of public bodies. In recent years, this rapidly evolving profession has become increasingly professional. How do you become a public purchaser? What are the attractions and constraints of the job? What are the new challenges facing the profession in the years ahead? Mélanie Spagnuolo, an expert in purchasing and public procurement, takes a closer look.

Regulatory changes, the economic impact of the health crisis... Today's public purchasers face new challenges. The "Climate and Resilience" Act of 22 August 2021 is encouraging them to take action. more responsible purchasing and to adopt eco-responsible criteria in their procedures. In addition, the global health situation is putting a severe strain on public budgets, leading to shortages and soaring prices for raw materials.

The job of the public purchaser is therefore rich, multifaceted and in constant evolution.

What are the main tasks of the public purchaser?

Public purchasers purchase goods, works and services to meet the needs of public services. They are responsible for analysing and assessing needs, planning purchases and carrying out the associated procedures.

Depending on the size of the organisation in which they work, they may specialise in one area, such as purchasing strategy or risk mapping, or have a generalist approach in smaller organisations.

Public purchasers are also involved in risk management. Legal risks: it is responsible for securing the procedure. Operational risks, on the other hand: they must ensure that financial, qualitative and time-related deviations are kept to a minimum during the execution of the contract.

It may also be required to manage a team.

What training is needed to become a public purchaser?

There are many different routes to becoming a public purchaser.

In the civil service, the position is open to job categories A and B by competition.

A Master's degree in public procurement law or purchasing A degree in business administration, complemented by a proven track record, is an easy route to the job. Other courses may also be suitable: management, administration, management.

Today, many professionals enter this profession without specialising in the subject. They train "on the job" or "in the field". via professional training. ORSYS offers a certification course Public purchaser to master the procedure for awarding a public contract, from formulating requirements to monitoring the contract.

What skills do you need?

The position requires sound knowledge of public law and the public procurement code. Public purchasers must also have a good economic culture and a strong interest in responsible purchasing. The ability to convince and unite is essential.

TECHNICAL SKILLS (hard skills/savoir-faire)

• Perfect knowledge of the public procurement code and the associated legal and regulatory environment
• Mastery of legal monitoring tools: constant monitoring of regulations and case law
• Ability to identify and assess legal, operational and supplier risks...
• Rigorous writing skills: drafting administrative and contractual documents
• Mastery of negotiation techniques

BEHAVIOURAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (soft skills)

• Ability to analyse and summarise
• Intellectual curiosity
• Organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills, team spirit and a taste for cross-functional work: collaboration between departments
• Sense of confidentiality

How much does a public purchaser earn?

Remuneration and salary progression for public purchasers vary according to their status (civil servant or contract employee) and experience.

For young executives, the range is 25 000 € à 40 000 € per annum gross. Experienced managers can expect salaries ranging from 40 000 € à 60 000 € gross per annum.

Some buyers from the private sector may join the public sector during their career. In this case, they should expect a pay cut of around 10 to 20 %. This type of career move may be motivated by a the desire to transform organisations and to work in the public interest. In other words, a quest for meaning that tends to compensate for the loss of salary.

What are its development prospects?

In the civil service, people with initial experience (1 to 2 years) as a public procurement assistant, public procurement lawyer or territorial editor can become public purchasers through a competitive examination.

An experienced public purchaser can go on to become a public procurement manager, director of legal affairs, director of purchasing or director of the procurement department.

What are the attractions and constraints of this job?