Is it necessary to hire an engineer for construction procurement job?

I agree to some extent  with the logic explained by Mr Fazlur Rahman for hiring of engineer as Procurement Manager for a construction project. The choice of an engineer has some obvious advantages as explained in the answer. However, at times during my career I have observed that engineers in general are not adequately equipped with commercial/Contractual/Legal acumen which is important at all stages of the procurement process. Moreover, giving all work in one hand i.e drawing specifications, processing award of contract , overseeing implementation of contract and finally approving the material may compromise interest of the organization and control/monitoring objectives may not be fulfilled. I would , therefore, go for a person having expertise in handling commercial and contractual matter. Moreover, I would also prefer segregation of basic three functions:

1. Designing Specifications
2. Processing Procurement and Award of Contract
3. Receiving and approving the material.

Not being an engineer; I am always perplexed that in Middle East companies are mostly asking for engineer in construction procurement job; With my point of view, I believe to be a successful SCM professional there are so many qualities required; Like: Negotiation, Stake Holders Relations management, Knowledge Management; Leadership qualities, contract life cycles, developing procurement process; Risk mitigation; Global Sourcing, Operations, Public Sector procurement and so on,  Engineering could be fundamental degree but should not be only option. Generally a procurement professional deals with variety of aspects and there are engineers in the organization that can look after the speciation’s and performance management;

In construction project, the company has to buy a lot of construction materials like cement, MS rod, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, wood, paints, nails, construction equipment, scaffolding materials etc.  The materials have their specifications and engineering attributes. The construction engineer prepares specifications and sends to procurement department. If the procurement manager is an “Engineer”, he would understand the spec. quickly and ask for clarification, if any quickly, to the construction engineer to make it error free. When the material is ordered and received, the Procurement Engineer easily understand the same and even inspect the same, otherwise the construction Engineer has to lend his hand.

So, for convenience of speed and accuracy, the procurement manager for construction materials is an Engineer.

Not exactly, in todays generation of Internet even a non engineer can check all the technical specifications on google. I have worked in a contruction company as a procurement officer for 6 years and have never faced any challenges.

Of course  to hire engineers for constructionand engineering procurement as they have prior understanding of technicalities involved in materials and others. It becomes easier for an Engineer to understand the technical specs than a non engineering graduate.

Yes, all engineering related jobs should be handled by ENGINEERS. There are DETAILS and competencies that others don't have.

yes- because an engineer would be able to undersand the technical comparisons, technology and technical bid evaluation between different vendors much better to arrive at a definite approval stage or negotiate with vendors in a much better position to secure superior technical specifications or concessions from vendors leading to a superior vendor offer and a better construction perspective

Yes, it is necessary to hire an engineer.

Affirmative,

all company should have a procurement engineer to handle all requirements and make them available and he should have a technical background to know what he need to purchase , so he can be qualified to  do that ,because all decision should be between his hands based on his experience and technical knowledge in supply chain concepts

no anyone with construction experience can do the job 

Contracting department must have the BOQ and specification for the related department.