Considering a Career Shift: Reflections from Over a Decade in Procurement
After dedicating more than ten years to the procurement field, I’ve reached a point where I find myself contemplating a major career shift. This decision hasn’t come lightly, but my current job situation has made it increasingly difficult to enjoy an industry I once found fulfilling.
Several challenges have contributed to this disillusionment. When negotiating terms with suppliers, particularly concerning capital expenditures, the lack of support from colleagues can be disheartening. Despite raising concerns about early involvement with my manager, no tangible actions have been taken. On top of that, our shared services accounts team consistently struggles with basic invoice handling, complicating an already complex workflow.
Adding to these frustrations, the logistics team routinely overlooks my orders, dismissing them as “indirect” tasks unworthy of attention. It’s disconcerting to feel excluded from team gatherings, and I frequently find myself in the uncomfortable position of having to remind my manager about approving my leave requests, whether they are for personal or medical reasons.
The lack of regular performance reviews and their frequent cancellation is another significant concern. The misplaced paperwork for my annual evaluations underscores a deeper issue of disorganization within the company. The duplication of data entry across various platforms monopolizes precious time that could be better spent crafting requests for proposals and analyzing supplier responses.
The ever-increasing load of redundant tasks and responsibilities has eroded the time available for more strategic aspects of procurement, prompting me to consider my next career move. I’m now actively exploring roles adjacent to procurement that might better align with my skills and bring renewed satisfaction to my professional life.
I look forward to discovering new opportunities that align with my expertise and passion, and I welcome any suggestions from those who have ventured beyond traditional procurement roles.
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