Occupation Profile for Purchasing Agents

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Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing.

Signficant Points

  • About 43 percent are employed in wholesale trade or manufacturing establishments.
  • Some firms prefer to promote existing employees to these positions, while others recruit and train college graduates.
  • Employment is projected to have little or no job growth.
  • Opportunities should be best for those with a college degree.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
  • Core — Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
  • Core — Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
  • Core — Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
  • Core — Maintain and review computerized or manual records of items purchased, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.

Activities

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.