Purchase Management

Program Information

As a student in Purchasing and Supply Management, you directly benefit from our leading position in research. You will not only get into contact with latest trends in practice but will also be confronted with inspiring research. Studying at the University of Twente enables you to make a difference in firms.

What is Purchasing & Supply Management?

A typical industrial firm in Europe spends about 60% of its turnover on supplies. This figure indicates that Purchasing is important and, to stay competitive, firms need to manage their supply effectively. Effective management of a firm's supplies is the responsibility of Purchasing and Supply managers: they search, select, contract and eventually manage suppliers to ensure the supply of materials and services that firm need.

The importance of Supply Management is greater than ever. In recent years Purchasing has gained considerable importance with firms. As a consequence, adequately trained personnel is required and excellent job prospects for purchasers emerge. The master specialization in Purchasing and Supply management educates such Purchasing managers, preparing students for a future in this promising field. Similarly, it is also an important responsibility of project leaders, production managers, facilities managers et cetera who are partially involved with Purchasing and Supply management.

Typically, the Purchasing department of a firm is divided into the strategic sourcing and the operative procurement groups. The first group being responsible for supplier selection and contracting, the latter for the execution of purchasing orders. Recently, technology-oriented companies started to implement a third group, often called "advanced sourcing" or "procurement engineering". These groups manage the interface between strategic sourcing and the research & development department. Hence, Purchasing and Supply management is different from "supply chain management" (SCM). SCM is commonly understood as the optimization of logistics processes, ensuring an optimal scheduling, transport, and storage of supplies. PSM and SCM require different skills. The master specialization in Purchasing and Supply management at the VIAST is one of the few programs dedicated to the training of purchasers.

Why Study PSM?

1.Best Job Prospects for PSM Graduates

Reflecting the growing importance of supply management due to a change in business practices, the relevance of Purchasing is steadily increasing. As a consequence, there is a high demand for academically trained Purchasing professionals. Out of this discrepancies, excellent job prospects for well-educated purchasers arise.

2. International Topic

The Purchasing function is very international. Studying in the English language at an international institute in a border region prepares you for this opportunity.

3. A Job with Many Interfaces Boosting Your Career

Purchasers are members of many cross-functional teams, typically interfacing with research & development, production, logistics, controlling, but also marketing and others. Within a firm, this unique interconnectedness allows purchasers to build up a good network, which often is a gateway to further managerial responsibilities. Our educational program is oriented towards educating the cross-functionally effective executive in order to support this potential.

Who Should Study PSM?

Graduates…

…With a Purchasing Background: If you already have a background in purchasing, either through your previous studies at the university or first job experience, the PSM master is ideal for you. Assuming an understanding of commodity management, the program provides you with the additional knowledge needed for taking up managerial or staff roles or preparing for special roles such as procurement engineering or public procurement.

…With a General Business Administration Background: If you do not yet have a background in Purchasing, yet, you follow an introductory course in Purchasing management.

…With a Technical Background: For students with a technical background, PSM offers an excellent opportunity to acquire management skills. Instead of following a general MBA course, PSM offers you an insight into a business by following the general master courses which are part of the MSc in business administration program. On top, you are prepared for a job in Purchasing or Purchasing related / interfacing fields.