Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents have two major goals: to buy goods their company can sell at a profit, and to increase their customer base by offering products that consumers want. Purchasing agents buy items that support an organization’s operation, such as chemicals or industrial equipment for a manufacturer. Buyers purchase goods for resale to consumers, such as clothing or electronics. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and agents, and handle more complex tasks. The most challenging part of the job is predicting which items will be popular, and which might end up left unsold in a warehouse or hanging on a store’s markdown racks which takes a combination of good planning, decisiveness, and the confidence to trust their intuition. Buyers and purchasers research industry trends, study past sales, and listen to customer feedback to identify buying patterns. They carefully select product suppliers that will meet the quality, cost, and delivery date promised. Most buyers, purchasing agents, and managers work in offices full time, with some travel to see suppliers. Overtime is common. The largest employers of these positions are in the manufacturing industry, wholesale and retail trade, and the federal government. Buyers and purchasing agents often need a bachelor’s degree and related experience, though a high school diploma suffices for some positions. Purchasing managers usually have at least a bachelor’s degree, and several years’ work experience as a buyer or purchasing agent.
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.
Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
management
accounting and economics
Safety and Government
law and government
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
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
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
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
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Xactware Xactimate
Accounting software
CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
Intuit QuickBooks
bachelor's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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