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Urmi, Procurement Agent at Boeing: Advize Career Interview

A career as a Procurement Agent at Boeing sounds both challenging and rewarding. The path often begins with internships focused on supply chain or data analysis.

Daily work involves evaluating purchase requests, matching them with suppliers, and negotiating pricing for aircraft parts, all while navigating compliance and regulations in the aerospace industry.

Success requires time management, attention to detail, and the ability to balance a fast-paced environment with proactive communication and seeking help when needed.

Individuals who enjoy being challenged, thinking critically, and problem-solving tend to thrive. Entry-level opportunities include roles as procurement agents, coordinators, analysts, or supply chain/operations specialists.

Building assertiveness and leveraging networking opportunities in college, particularly career fairs and professor connections, are key to future success in this collaborative and demanding field.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Urmi Tripathi

Procurement Agent

Boeing

Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey

​

Legal & Policy, Industrial, Supply Chain Management

Aviation

Operations and Project Management

None Applicable

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Career Path Of A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Urmi's path to a Procurement Agent role at Boeing began with an on-campus job as a "global peer mentor" at WP Carey, supporting international students. This was followed by a pivotal summer internship as a "data science intern supporting... supply chain operations" at Boeing, which led to a full-time offer that Urmi declined in favor of an "alternative placement" that eventually positioned them for the current procurement role.

Career Path Of A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Main Responsibilities of a Procurement Agent at Boeing

As a Procurement Agent at Boeing, Urmi spends the day "evaluating any purchase requisitions and demand that's coming in" for commercial spare parts, deciding which suppliers are a good fit to produce those parts, and ultimately negotiating pricing to execute purchase orders. This involves a mix of analysis, supplier navigation, and negotiation, all to ensure the availability of airplane parts for stocking, inventory, or customer demand.

Main Responsibilities of a Procurement Agent at Boeing

Most Important Skills for a Procurement Agent at Boeing

Urmi, a Procurement Agent at Boeing, highlights the importance of "good time management skills" and strong organization, as the role often involves juggling numerous responsibilities with tight deadlines; furthermore, the ability to "pay close attention to details" is crucial for success in this role.

Most Important Skills for a Procurement Agent at Boeing

Favorite Parts Of Being A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Urmi enjoys the fast-paced nature of being a Procurement Agent at Boeing, feeling "challenged and engaged at work" while never experiencing boredom. The role also offers consistent "opportunity to grow" through increased responsibilities and the ability to seek out more challenging assignments.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Urmi finds the fast-paced nature of being a Procurement Agent at Boeing both enjoyable and challenging, describing it as a "love hate relationship." The biggest challenge lies in "striking that right balance" between staying busy and avoiding overwhelm, which includes proactively asking for help when needed in the demanding current state of the business.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Aerospace Industry As A Procurement Agent

Urmi enjoys the complexity of the aerospace industry, particularly as it relates to procurement. As a supply chain major, airplane parts procurement at Boeing offers exposure to many "compliance things" and "government regulations", making the work challenging and engaging.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Aerospace Industry As A Procurement Agent

What Type of Person Thrives in the Procurement Industry, According to a Procurement Agent at Boeing

Urmi believes individuals who thrive as procurement agents at Boeing are those who "enjoy being challenged" and possess strong attention to detail, as both transactional and strategic contracting roles require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ability to navigate these challenges is key to success in this industry.

What Type of Person Thrives in the Procurement Industry, According to a Procurement Agent at Boeing

What A Procurement Agent At Boeing Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Procurement Industry

Urmi wishes someone had prepared them for how central a Procurement Agent is to various collaborations. It was initially "intimidating and overwhelming" to navigate the daily interactions with internal teams like planning, engineering, and quality, as well as external stakeholders like suppliers, and they wish they had been more ready for that level of cross-functional engagement.

What A Procurement Agent At Boeing Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Procurement Industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Procurement Agents At Boeing

Urmi suggests that entry-level roles for aspiring procurement agents include "procurement agent," "procurement coordinators," and "procurement analysts," while also highlighting related supply chain positions like "supply chain specialists" and "operation specialists" as viable paths, emphasizing the abundance of opportunity in the field. Demand planning was also mentioned.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Procurement Agents At Boeing

Significant Career Lesson From A Procurement Agent At Boeing

Urmi, a Procurement Agent at Boeing, has learned the importance of being assertive and confident in the workplace, noting that overcoming being perceived as "shy and timid" has been crucial for career progression. In the current role, being "a little bit more outspoken" has proven to be valuable.

Significant Career Lesson From A Procurement Agent At Boeing

College Experiences That Helped a Procurement Agent at Boeing Succeed

Urmi, a Procurement Agent at Boeing, emphasized the importance of focusing on academics and "studying, things like that" in college but noted that "networking and things like that" was critical and college career fairs and professors are valuable resources to "leverage those connections" and help set students up for success.

College Experiences That Helped a Procurement Agent at Boeing Succeed
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