Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products 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.

  • Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
  • Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
  • Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
  • Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
  • Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
  • Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
  • Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
  • Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
  • Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
  • Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
  • Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
  • Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
  • Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
  • Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
  • Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
  • Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.
  • Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
  • Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
  • Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.
Work Context
  • Telephone — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Electronic Mail — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 83% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 64% responded "Extremely important".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 53% responded "Extremely important".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 48% responded "Some freedom".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 50% responded "A lot of freedom".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • 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.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Purchase products or services.
  • Execute sales or other financial transactions.
  • Purchase products or services.
  • Obtain information about goods or services.
  • Analyze business or financial data.
  • Evaluate applicable laws and regulations to determine impact on organizational activities.
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Knowledge

English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Negotiation
  • Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software
  • SmugMug Flickr Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visio Hot Technology
Project management software
  • Microsoft Project Hot Technology
  • Microsoft SharePoint Hot Technology
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Hot Technology
  • Galorath SEER-SEM
  • Dexter + Cheney Spectrum Construction Software
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
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