Media Release
A day in the life - choose your own adventure as a procurement professional
A joint publication by the Australasian Procurement & Construction Council (APCC) and AcademyGlobal (AG).
Thursday 1 May 2025
Public sector procurement environment
Public sector procurement offers an ever-expanding field of choice for an enthusiastic professional. Almost a ‘choose your own adventure’ level of opportunity is available to someone with the right mix of diligence and practicality, with an enquiring mind and a commitment to integrity and with a passion for working with others to get the best result for people, places and the planet.
The variety of possible sectors you could work in amplifies the adventure/s you can take. Sectors available include infrastructure and construction, ICT, health and human services, Defence and national security, education and training, transport and logistics, emergency management, agriculture, and fisheries. Or you can play an influential role by working in the central procurement body.
Within a sector, the role is equally varied. Roles include shaping markets and building supplier relationships, leading competitive sourcing and tender processes, driving value through supplier evaluation and negotiation, managing high-impact contracts and supplier performance, ensuring integrity, transparency, and strategic reporting.
So what does that look like to a procurement professional working for an government body?
Let’s take a look at that question through imagining a day in the life of a hypothetical procurement officer working at mid-level in a central procurement area.
09:00
Pouring my first coffee, I run through what’s ahead at work and how it makes a difference to people, places, and the planet. As I prepare for the day, I reflect on how my skills, experience, and passion can help deliver procurements that drive real outcomes for those the money serves.
10:00am
Time for my meeting with the contract management team overseeing our whole-of-government cleaning contract, which expires in twelve months. I’ve revisited notes from the last tender, anticipating how recent policy shifts might shape the next process.
My main goal is to encourage early preparation. There’s a real opportunity here—not just to run a good procurement, but to shape a contract that delivers real impact. I flag that few suppliers are currently prequalified, posing a risk to competition, innovation, and value.
I recommend early market engagement to broaden the field and attract providers who align with our objectives. More quality responses will strengthen both price and purpose outcomes.
And purpose matters. The cleaning industry is vulnerable to modern slavery risks like underpayment and unsafe conditions. We discuss including contract terms that mandate fair wages, safe workplaces, ethical labour practices, and environmentally responsible methods, aligning with government policy.
After the meeting, a senior officer thanked me for genuinely listening and shaping a practical, outcomes-focused approach. She said, “You didn’t just give us a standard process—you built something that actually works for us.”
That feedback meant a lot. It reminded me that procurement, when done well, is the engine room of progress. It’s not just about rules and deadlines—it’s about unlocking real-world impact.
12:00pm
Today, I’m participating in a community of practice workshop on shortening and securing supply chains in the clothing and textile sector.
It’s a topic close to home for me, as I’m currently working on the next government uniforms tender. What makes this session exciting isn’t just the subject matter, but the people. The videoconference draws procurement professionals from across Australasia—each bringing experience, lessons learned, and insights.
These sessions are gold. Someone always asks a question I hadn’t considered or shares a solution to a challenge I’m just starting to unravel. I’m expecting to walk away with ideas I can weave into my approach—helping secure a low-risk, value-for-money uniform contract that delivers when needed.
It’s a reminder that good procurement isn’t done in isolation. It’s strengthened by community—by sharing what works, what doesn’t, and how we can all do it better.
1:00pm
Sometimes, the most valuable part of the workday isn’t spent at your desk—it’s the walk to the coffee shop or catching up with colleagues over lunch.
Our lunch crew is a mixed bag—some seasoned in procurement, others newer, and one close friend not officially in procurement (yet!). That’s what makes these catch-ups so valuable. We talk shop—what’s working, what’s tricky, what’s new—but also listen, learn, and swap stories. It’s like an informal think tank disguised as a coffee break.
One of the best things about procurement is that no path looks the same. The profession welcomes people from all walks of life, and those diverse perspectives help solve real-world problems. Hearing how someone handled a negotiation or a new contract model is like a casual, practical mini masterclass.
Sometimes, those conversations plant a seed. My friend, curious and full of the skills we need, might just make the leap into procurement.
If you’re thinking about a career that’s people-driven, varied, and impactful, take a closer look at the APCC's Procurement Professionalisation page. And if you're already here, never underestimate the power of your coffee breaks. Your next great idea or future team member might be right across the table.
2:00pm
Time to dive into those transport project emails. Nothing alarming—just updates and a few details to work through. Still, it’s a good chance to slow down and think about how everything fits together. I’ll spend the next hour sketching a clear, simple process map to share with the team tomorrow.
It might sound small, but mapping a process makes a real difference. It helps everyone see the bigger picture—where the touchpoints are, how pieces connect, and where we can smooth things out. In complex transport projects, clarity matters.
These quiet moments—between the rush of deadlines—are where real value lives. Tomorrow, that map might spark a conversation, solve a problem, or help someone new understand the project. That’s the kind of contribution that feels good.
3:30pm
Just got the notification—another contract officially executed! This one’s for hospital beds in the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital. It might seem like a small detail in a massive project, but I’m proud of the role I played in getting it over the line.
I guided the team through the tender, advising on the right contract type, structure, and smart provisions for deliverables and cost control—ensuring funds stay focused on health care. It’s quiet work, but essential. When the hospital opens, families will benefit from something thoughtful and well-managed—and that matters.
One of my favourite parts of the job is reaching this stage—when paperwork’s signed, the plan’s in motion, and all the behind-the-scenes work takes real shape.
Procurement might not be front-page news, but it touches every corner of public life—from hospitals and schools to roads, tech, and community programs. It’s a career where you solve problems, deliver real value, and make a quiet but meaningful difference.
If you like working with purpose and helping projects succeed, procurement could be the profession for you.
4:00pm
The boss just called a quick meeting to walk us through the early stages of a new policy proposal from our policy colleagues. It’s still early days, but the good news is they’re involving us from the start—a positive sign that our input is valued.
One thing I appreciate about procurement is that our work doesn’t sit in a vacuum. Good policy must be grounded in what’s practical and delivers real value. We help bridge that gap, turning big ideas into workable solutions.
My director is keen to join the working group, which means I’ll have opportunities to contribute as thinking evolves. It’s exciting to help shape policy design with delivery in mind.
Procurement offers a front-row seat to meaningful change—we’re not just there at the end; we help shape, guide, and deliver it. And that’s a rewarding place to be.
5:00pm
Time to wrap up for the day—just one last check of the inbox in case anything urgent has snuck in before tomorrow.
It’s been a full day, as usual. meetings, questions, problem-solving, maybe even a little bit of quiet chaos here and there. But looking back, there’s a real sense of satisfaction. I know I played my part in helping deliver value for money outcomes for the community. That’s the core of what we do—making sure public resources are used wisely, fairly, and with real impact.
I picked up a few new tricks today—there’s always something to learn in this line of work. And hopefully, I helped a few people see what procurement professionals bring to the table when we’re involved early and often. The planning, the strategy, the risk management—it all adds up to better results, and better outcomes for the people these projects are meant to serve.
It’s not always glamorous, but it’s good work. It’s meaningful work. And for anyone looking for a career with purpose, challenge, and a chance to make a quiet but powerful difference, procurement might just be your calling.
Public sector procurement environment
Government and industry are gradually recognising the role that strategic procurement can play as a catalyst for change. Across the globe, procurement professionals are being relied upon to guide that role by advising on how best to harness the power of procurement spend to drive better outcomes for those on whose behalf that money is being spent. In the public sector, that means they are instrumental in optimising the social, environmental, and financial benefits of spending public money, as well as mitigating and reducing supply chain risk and assuring probity and governance in dealing with suppliers.
As a result, public sector procurement offers an ever-expanding field of choice for an enthusiastic procurement professional. Almost a ‘choose your own adventure’ level of opportunity is available to someone with the right mix of diligence and practicality, with an enquiring mind and a commitment to probity and with a passion for working with others to get the best result for the community that they serve.
#PublicProcurementMatters
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For further information please contact the APCC office on 02 6285 2255 or email info@apcc.gov.au
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