Everybody needs something, and the people who can get them what they need are often just as valuable. In the energy industry, companies need three main things: materials, equipment and services. The people who can get them those things are purchasing agents.
Purchasing agents buy goods, materials, supplies and services and ensure that they are of the quantity, quality, price and availability required by their organization. Purchasing agents typically work within a Supply Chain Management group to support procurement requirements of materials, equipment and services for a specific business area or project. As purchasing agents move up in seniority, their responsibilities change from the day-to-day purchasing activities to strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development.
In general, a purchasing agent manages the procurement process and negotiates and drafts contracts or agreements for needed supplies. They build out purchasing and delivery schedules. Attention to detail is vital in this role, as following up to ensure the quality of the supplies, consistency and compliance with terms and conditions of the contracts are a key component of the purchasing agent’s role.
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- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Offshore, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $65,000 to $100,000
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
In this occupation activities may include:
- Developing bid strategies and evaluation criteria with Project Team members.
- Recommending and selecting the appropriate procurement method to satisfy the business requirement, which may vary in size, value and complexity.
- Negotiating orders and/or contracts to achieve best value for the company.
- Recording, monitoring, reconciling and reporting contracting and procurement activities, expenditures and commitments.
- Tracking shipments, following up undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes.
Education
- A high school/GED is a minimum requirement. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics may be preferred by employers.
- Purchasing agents buying specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be required in some cases.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have keen attention to detail. From drafting purchase agreements to building out delivery schedules, you have every detail considered. Then, you can confirm that what’s been delivered is exactly what you ordered.
As your career progresses, you’ll also have an eye on your company’s future, understanding strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development. In the long term, your attention to detail will mean the difference between a company that gets what it needs and one that doesn’t.
- Clerical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Understanding Risk
- Transportation
- Data Entry
- Managing Material Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Attention to Detail
- Sub-sector Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Well site decommissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as a purchasing agent in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the CCUS and well site decommissioning sub-sectors of cleantech.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Developing bid strategies and evaluation criteria with Project Team members.
- Recommending and selecting the appropriate procurement method to satisfy the business requirement, which may vary in size, value and complexity.
- Negotiating orders and/or contracts to achieve best value for the company.
- Recording, monitoring, reconciling and reporting contracting and procurement activities, expenditures and commitments.
- Tracking shipments, following up undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes.
Education
- A high school/GED is a minimum requirement. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics may be preferred by employers.
- Purchasing agents buying specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be required in some cases.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech include:
- Primarily indoor/office work (CCUS | well site decommissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (CCUS | well site decommissioning)
- Urban location (CCUS | well site decommissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have keen attention to detail. From drafting purchase agreements to building out delivery schedules, you have every detail considered. Then, you can confirm that what’s been delivered is exactly what you ordered.
As your career progresses, you’ll also have an eye on your company’s future, understanding strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development. In the long term, your attention to detail will mean the difference between a company that gets what it needs and one that doesn’t.
- Clerical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Understanding Risk
- Transportation
- Data Entry
- Managing Material Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Attention to Detail
- Sub-sector Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Engineering, design and procurement, Modular fabrication, Construction, Start-up and commissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A purchasing agent in oil and natural gas making a career change to any of the five project life cycle phases of industrial construction and maintenance in energy may need to complete some minor upskilling to complete a successful transition. The foundational skills are easily transferable but a worker may need to learn about working with different suppliers and contractor organizations and gain experience with major capital projects and a construction background in order to transition.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Developing bid strategies and evaluation criteria with Project Team members.
- Recommending and selecting the appropriate procurement method to satisfy the business requirement, which may vary in size, value and complexity.
- Negotiating orders and/or contracts to achieve best value for the company.
- Recording, monitoring, reconciling and reporting contracting and procurement activities, expenditures and commitments.
- Tracking shipments, following up undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes.
Education
- A high school/GED is a minimum requirement. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics may be preferred by employers.
- Purchasing agents buying specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be required in some cases.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Primarily indoor/office work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Urban location (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have keen attention to detail. From drafting purchase agreements to building out delivery schedules, you have every detail considered. Then, you can confirm that what’s been delivered is exactly what you ordered.
As your career progresses, you’ll also have an eye on your company’s future, understanding strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development. In the long term, your attention to detail will mean the difference between a company that gets what it needs and one that doesn’t.
- Clerical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Understanding Risk
- Transportation
- Data Entry
- Managing Material Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Attention to Detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as a purchasing agent in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the LNG facility operation sector.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Developing bid strategies and evaluation criteria with Project Team members.
- Recommending and selecting the appropriate procurement method to satisfy the business requirement, which may vary in size, value and complexity.
- Negotiating orders and/or contracts to achieve best value for the company.
- Recording, monitoring, reconciling and reporting contracting and procurement activities, expenditures and commitments.
- Tracking shipments, following up undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes.
Education
- A high school/GED is a minimum requirement. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics may be preferred by employers.
- Purchasing agents buying specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be required in some cases.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have keen attention to detail. From drafting purchase agreements to building out delivery schedules, you have every detail considered. Then, you can confirm that what’s been delivered is exactly what you ordered.
As your career progresses, you’ll also have an eye on your company’s future, understanding strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development. In the long term, your attention to detail will mean the difference between a company that gets what it needs and one that doesn’t.
- Clerical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Understanding Risk
- Transportation
- Data Entry
- Managing Material Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Attention to Detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as a purchasing agent in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the petrochemicals and refining sector.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Developing bid strategies and evaluation criteria with Project Team members.
- Recommending and selecting the appropriate procurement method to satisfy the business requirement, which may vary in size, value and complexity.
- Negotiating orders and/or contracts to achieve best value for the company.
- Recording, monitoring, reconciling and reporting contracting and procurement activities, expenditures and commitments.
- Tracking shipments, following up undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes.
Education
- A high school/GED is a minimum requirement. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics may be preferred by employers.
- Purchasing agents buying specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be required in some cases.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have keen attention to detail. From drafting purchase agreements to building out delivery schedules, you have every detail considered. Then, you can confirm that what’s been delivered is exactly what you ordered.
As your career progresses, you’ll also have an eye on your company’s future, understanding strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development. In the long term, your attention to detail will mean the difference between a company that gets what it needs and one that doesn’t.
- Clerical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Understanding Risk
- Transportation
- Data Entry
- Managing Material Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Attention to Detail
- Sub-sector Geothermal, Solar, Wind
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A purchasing agent making a career change to the geothermal sub-sector of renewables may need to complete some minor upskilling including gaining knowledge of the renewables sector. Oil and natural gas experience will likely increase the likelihood of transferability. A worker may find they need to complete more significant upskilling to transition to the solar or wind sub-sectors of renewables and may need to gain familiarity with the sector and its expanded customer base prior to transitioning. The average salary range for this role in geothermal is similar to that of oil and natural gas, however, workers may expect the salary range in solar and wind to be lower than the oil and natural gas average salary range.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in renewables may include:
- Sourcing material and equipment related to the renewables energy industry. (solar | wind)
In this occupation activities may include:
- Developing bid strategies and evaluation criteria with Project Team members.
- Recommending and selecting the appropriate procurement method to satisfy the business requirement, which may vary in size, value and complexity.
- Negotiating orders and/or contracts to achieve best value for the company.
- Recording, monitoring, reconciling and reporting contracting and procurement activities, expenditures and commitments.
- Tracking shipments, following up undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes.
Education
- A high school/GED is a minimum requirement. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics may be preferred by employers.
- Purchasing agents buying specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be required in some cases.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Primarily indoor/office work (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Less formal organizational structure (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Transition to a similar level (solar | wind)
- Urban location (geothermal | solar | wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have keen attention to detail. From drafting purchase agreements to building out delivery schedules, you have every detail considered. Then, you can confirm that what’s been delivered is exactly what you ordered.
As your career progresses, you’ll also have an eye on your company’s future, understanding strategic purchasing, sourcing decisions and policy development. In the long term, your attention to detail will mean the difference between a company that gets what it needs and one that doesn’t.
- Clerical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Understanding Risk
- Transportation
- Data Entry
- Managing Material Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Attention to Detail
The renewables sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
Geothermal
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: Minor
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Solar
- Transferability: Reboot
- Skills upgrade: Major
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
Wind
- Transferability: Reboot
- Skills upgrade: Major
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into renewables may vary by sub-sector. There could be differences in the need to upskill, gain knowledge and experience, expected salary range and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
