The Procurement Specialist performs the following functions: cost analysis and sourcing; negotiation and contract management; operational procurement (process from requisition to payment); accounts payable; supplier performance management.

The purpose of purchasing is to provide businesses with the following benefits: security of supply, cost reduction, risk reduction, quality improvement, increase of added value of the product (service), improving the efficiency of operational business processes, and innovations. The purchasing process is focused only on organizing the delivery of the right goods or services to the right place at the right time at the agreed price.
The Purchasing Specialist manages the reactive transaction process from requisition to payment of the supplier’s invoice. His functions include the following: supplying stocks of materials; purchasing non-stocked goods and services; subcontracting; and managing consignment stocks.

If your company uses a purchasing process instead of procurement, it largely indicates the relative importance of this function in the organization, which affects employees, potential hiring, suppliers’ perception, and the industry perception of the maturity level of your procurement. Purchasing is about transactions that get you what you want, when you need it.
Procurement is about building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with partners so that the whole supply chain functions at a new level; it is about maximizing value for the company.