Position Descriptions

    Free Position Description (Procurement Officer) Template

    Clearly define the WHS duties of your Procurement Officer with our free, editable template. Aligned with Australian WHS practice. Download your DOCX today.

    September 16, 20263 min read11 viewsLast reviewed September 2026Licensing terms (PDF)

    Free Position Description (Procurement Officer) Template

    DOCX • 138 KB + PDF

    Updated Oct 2026

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    Free Position Description (Procurement Officer) Template — document preview

    Purpose of the Free Position Description (Procurement Officer) Template

    A Procurement Officer plays a critical role in an organisation's safety and operational integrity. Their decisions directly impact the safety of plant, equipment, substances, and services entering the workplace.

    This Free Position Description (Procurement Officer) Template provides a structured starting point for defining the key responsibilities, qualifications, and WHS duties of this position. A well-drafted position description is fundamental for recruiting the right person, setting clear performance expectations, and ensuring procurement activities align with your organisation's safety objectives.

    By clearly articulating WHS responsibilities—such as verifying supplier credentials, ensuring new equipment meets Australian standards, and managing contractor pre-qualification—you embed safety into your supply chain. This role is a cornerstone of effective risk management, integrating safety considerations into the very beginning of your operational processes. Using a detailed template helps ensure these critical functions are not overlooked and are formally integrated into your overall WHS management systems.

    How to use the Free Position Description (Procurement Officer) Template

    This template is designed for ease of use and customisation. Simply download the DOCX file and open it in your preferred word processor.

    The document is structured with standard sections including Position Summary, Key Responsibilities, WHS Duties, Qualifications, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Review each section and adapt the content to match the specific requirements, risk profile, and structure of your business.

    Important: This is a template only. We have designed it as a comprehensive starting point, but you must customise it to reflect the specific operational realities, risks, and legal duties of your organisation.

    Pay special attention to the WHS duties, ensuring they align with your specific hazards and contractor management procedures. Defining roles and responsibilities is a key element for businesses seeking certification, and our ISO 45001 consulting services can guide you through this process.

    When to use it

    A formal position description for a Procurement Officer should be utilised in several key business scenarios. The most common is during the recruitment process for a new or replacement role, ensuring all candidates have a clear and consistent understanding of the expectations.

    It is also an essential tool for performance reviews, providing a documented basis for assessing an individual's contribution to safety and business objectives.

    Organisations should also review and update position descriptions after a significant change, such as a company restructure, the introduction of new high-risk activities, or following a workplace incident where procurement processes were identified as a contributing factor. Regularly reviewing the role's scope helps ensure it remains effective and aligned with current operational needs.

    This review can form part of your scheduled WHS compliance auditing program to verify that key roles effectively manage their assigned safety functions.

    Who should use it

    This Position Description template is a valuable resource for a range of personnel within an organisation. Human Resources (HR) Managers will find it essential for recruitment, onboarding, and performance management cycles.

    WHS Managers and Advisors can use it to ensure that critical safety responsibilities related to procurement and contractor management are formally assigned and understood. Operations Managers and General Managers also benefit by having a clear framework for a role that directly influences their operational budget, efficiency, and risk exposure.

    For smaller businesses without dedicated HR or WHS teams, a business owner or director can use this template to formalise a key operational function, improving governance and control over purchasing decisions. If you need assistance defining complex roles or integrating safety duties across your organisation, our WHS consulting team offers expert guidance.

    This ensures your organisational structure actively supports a positive safety culture. Find more templates and tools in our complete free WHS resources library to support your management systems.

    Common mistakes

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Failing to include specific, measurable WHS key performance indicators (KPIs).
    • Using a generic position description without tailoring it to the organisation's specific risks.
    • Neglecting to define responsibilities for managing contractors and suppliers post-engagement.
    • Forgetting to review and update the position description after a procurement-related incident or near miss.

    Legal references

    Legal considerations

    The following legal requirements may be relevant to this type of work.

    • Work Health and Safety Act (Harmonised) — Provides the primary duties for protecting workers and other people from work health and safety risks.
    • Work Health and Safety Regulations (Harmonised) — Sets out requirements supporting the management of workplace hazards and risks.

    The following codes may be relevant to this type of work.

    • Managing WHS Risks Code of Practice — Provides practical guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks and applying effective controls.
    • Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice — Provides practical guidance on consulting workers and coordinating with other duty holders.
    • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice — Provides practical guidance on safe work environments, workplace facilities and related controls.

    Did you know

    Procurement's Safety Impact

    Research has shown a direct link between procurement decisions and workplace incidents. Choosing suppliers based solely on the lowest cost without considering safety specifications can significantly increase the risk of equipment failure and worker injury.

    Contractor Workforce

    In many industries, contractors and sub-contractors make up a significant portion of the total workforce on site. A Procurement Officer's role in vetting and managing these external workers is therefore a critical safety function for the entire organisation.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    01What are the key WHS responsibilities of a Procurement Officer?
    A Procurement Officer's key WHS duties include verifying that new plant and substances meet Australian standards, conducting supplier safety assessments, managing contractor pre-qualification and insurance, and ensuring that procured services do not introduce uncontrolled risks into the workplace.
    02How does a Position Description for a Procurement Officer support WHS compliance?
    It formally assigns specific WHS duties, demonstrating that the organisation is actively managing procurement-related risks. This supports a PCBU's primary duty of care by ensuring there is a clear process and responsible person for vetting the safety of goods, equipment, and contractors entering the business.
    03Can this template be used for a Procurement Manager role?
    Yes, this template can be adapted for a Procurement Manager role. You would need to add responsibilities related to team leadership, strategic sourcing, budget management, and reporting to senior management on supply chain risk and performance.
    04Why is contractor pre-qualification important for this role?
    Contractor pre-qualification is a critical process where the Procurement Officer verifies a contractor's safety systems, licenses, and insurance before they are engaged. This helps ensure that any contractor working on behalf of the organisation meets your safety standards, reducing the risk of incidents.

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    How To Use It

    1. 1Download and open in Word or PDF.
    2. 2Replace the placeholders with your business details.
    3. 3Get it reviewed by a WHS specialist before rollout.
    Get a document review

    Need it customised?

    Our WHS consultants can adapt this template to your site, run a gap analysis, or audit what you already have in place.

    Book a Free Consultation WHS consulting services

    or call 1300 156 382

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