What is the role of the Procurement Unit Leader?

The role of the Procurement Unit Leader is fundamentally tied to the management and oversight of all procurement actions for an incident. This includes not just acquiring necessary supplies and services, but also ensuring that procurement is carried out in accordance with established policies, regulations, and procedures. The Procurement Unit Leader works to identify the needs of the incident management team, processes orders, manages contracts, and ensures that all resources are acquired efficiently and cost-effectively.

By focusing on procurement, this leader plays a critical role in maintaining the supply chain necessary for the operation of the incident response, which directly affects the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall incident management efforts. This includes making informed decisions about what is needed, coordinating with suppliers, and ensuring that all purchases are documented properly for accountability and budgetary purposes. Through these actions, the Procurement Unit Leader allows other team members to focus on their respective areas of responsibility without the distraction of procurement issues.