Purchasing Agents
Buyer, Procurement Official, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Agent
Select a military branch to see samples.
Acquisition Manager; Acquisition Manager, Bomber; Acquisition Manager, Helicopter or EWO; Acquisition Manager, Trainer; Contracting Helper; Contracting, ABM; Contracting, Fighter; Contracting, Special Operations; Logistics Plans Apprentice; Logistics Plans Superintendent
Acquisition; Automated Logistical Specialist; Contract and Industrial Management; Contracting Noncommissioned Officer (NCO); Property Accounting Technician; Supply Systems Technician; Unit Supply Specialist
Acquisition Project Management; Finance and Supply Specialty; Storekeeper
Acquisition Core Member; Acquisition Specialist; Defense Systems Acquisition Officer; Marine Acquisition Officer - Aviation; Marine Acquisition Officer - Ground; Marine Acquisition Officer Candidate; Marine Corps Community Services Marine; Operational Contract Support (OCS) Officer; Operational Contract Support Specialist; Postal Clerk
Acquisition Specialist; Administrative Contracting Officer; Contract Specialist; Contracting Professional (DAWAI) Certified; Logistics Specialist (Submarine); Manager, Designated Project Functional Element; Procurement Contracting Officer; Program Manager, Weapons Systems; Reserve Independent Duty Ashore Logistics Specialist; Space Acquisition Officer
Contracting; Contracting Craftsman; Contracting Manager; Contracting Superintendent
What they do:
Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.
On the job, you would:
- Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
Knowledge
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Safety and Government
- law and government
Business
- customer service
- management
Math and Science
- arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Skills
Basic Skills
- reading work related information
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
- bringing people together to solve differences
- talking people into changing their minds or their behavior
Abilities
Verbal
- read and understand what is written
- communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
- use rules to solve problems
Math
- add, subtract, multiply, or divide
- choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Self-Confidence
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software
Word processing software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Word
Data base user interface and query software
- Microsoft Access
- Oracle Database
Education
Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed
high school diploma/GED
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Buyers & Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Logistics Analysts
- Procurement Clerks
- Purchasing Managers
- Wholesale & Retail Buyers
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about Purchasing Agents.