Purchasing Agents
Also called:
Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Manager
see titles from the Air Force or Marine Corps.
Contracting Craftsman; Contracting Manager; Contracting Superintendent
Acquisition Specialist; Basic Contingency Contract Specialist
What they do:
Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing.
On the job, you would:
- Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
- Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
Arts and Humanities
Business
- management
- accounting and economics
Safety and Government
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
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Basic Skills
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- reading work related information
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Resource Management
- making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent
- managing your time and the time of other people
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Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
- use rules to solve problems
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
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People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Initiative
- Cooperation
- Self Control
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You might use software like this on the job:
Accounting software
- Intuit QuickBooks software
- National Job Cost software
Project management software
- Dexter + Cheney Spectrum Construction Software
- Sage Master Builder
Financial analysis software
- IBM Costimater
- Softstar Costar COCOMO II
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bachelor's degree or
some college
usually needed
Get started on your career:
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New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
$58,760
per year, on average
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You might like a career in one of these industries:
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In the Marine Corps:
Acquisition Specialist; Basic Contingency Contract Specialist
