General
When entering this industry a graduate can expect to a starting salary of between 18k and 22k in focused roles such as managing individual storage units or controlling specific customer contracts. After gaining initial experience or completing a graduate scheme promotion is seen as relatively swift and easy. This is a fast paced industry that is rapidly developing as environmental issues grow. People that are willing to keep training and develop will move upwards quickly. Working in middle management will allow you to earn between 25k and 40k depending on experience.

Working in senior roles can mean taking on larger projects, expanding business development, overseeing HR or IT systems that will often need further study in business related masters or doctorate. These positions will let you earn substantial wages in the vicinity of 60k. As the work is based on transportation, there are very good opportunities to travel at every level.

Procurement & Supply
Salary rates for buyers vary depending on the industry they are in and the level of responsibility, as mentioned the more responsibly you have, the higher your wages. The approximate average starting salaries for graduate buyers is in the range £25,000 - £30,000 a year which rises to above £50,000 when you reach the level of Senior Manager. Getting further up the ranks, higher earners can make over £90,000 a year. The annual CIPS/Croner rewards salary survey in 2011 found that purchasing professionals with a CIPS qualification can earn up to £5,000 more per annum than their counterparts in HR, finance and IT. Buyers usually work office hours Monday to Friday, with occasional late evening or weekend work but it can be more depending on the individual company.

Job satisfaction in the procurement profession is high; the same survey showed that more than half of all buyers polled said that their satisfaction is at a good or excellent level. Procurement professionals are confident about moving forward in their careers, 31% in the private sector felt they had good promotion prospects.

The purchasing and supply management professions have a wide variety of jobs available in different areas of the country and all over the world so a desire to travel will get you far.

Procurement & Supply element written by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply. Find out more at www.cips.org.