Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Purchasing Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Purchasing

Purchasing companies purchase consumer goods such as apparel, footwear, food, home furnishings, building supplies, books and videos, toys, house wares, pools and spas, and other items for they clients.

Purchasing occupations include purchasing managers, buyers, purchasing agents, procurement managers, contract administrators, estimators, quotation administrators, commodity traders and any position requiring a professional purchaser designation or completion of the appropriate course.

Purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents seek to obtain the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible purchase cost for their employers.

In general, purchasers buy goods and services for use by their company or organization, whereas buyers typically buy items for resale. Purchasers and buyers determine which commodities or services are best, choose the suppliers of the product or service, negotiate the lowest price, and award contracts that ensure that the correct amount of the product or service is received at the appropriate time. In order to accomplish these tasks successfully, purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents study sales records and inventory levels of current stock, identify foreign and domestic suppliers, and keep abreast of changes affecting both the supply of, and demand for, needed products and materials.

Purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, service support, availability, reliability and selection. To assist them in their search for the right suppliers, they review catalogs, industry and company publications, directories and trade journals. Much of this information is now available on the Internet. They research the reputation and history of the suppliers and may advertise anticipated purchase actions in order to solicit bids. At meetings, trade shows, conferences, and suppliers’ plants and distribution centers, they examine products and services, assess a supplier’s production and distribution capabilities, and discuss other technical and business considerations that influence the purchasing decision. Once all of the necessary information on suppliers is gathered, orders are placed and contracts are awarded to those suppliers who meet the purchaser’s needs. Contracts often are for several years and may stipulate the price or a narrow range of prices, allowing purchasers to reorder as necessary. Other specific job duties and responsibilities of purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents vary by employer and by the type of commodities or services to be purchased.

Purchasing Related Industries

• Logistics
• Operations
• Sales