Purchasing Managers :: Job Description

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Purchasing Managers

Careers / Purchasing Managers

Summary Description


	Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Buyer

2.	Circuit Rider

3.	Circuit Walker

4.	Commissary Superintendent

5.	Commodity Manager

6.	Contract Administrator

7.	Contract Coordinator

8.	Contract Manager

9.	Contracting Manager

10.	Contracting Officer

11.	Contracts Specialist

12.	Demand Planner

13.	Director of Materials

14.	Director of Purchasing

15.	Director of Strategic Sourcing

16.	Division Merchandise Manager (DMM)

17.	General Merchandise Manager

18.	Import Coordinator

19.	Leasing Manager

20.	Livestock, Grain, Cotton and Other Farm Products Purchasing Director

21.	Material Manager

22.	Materials Coordinator

23.	Materials Manager

24.	Merchandise Director

25.	Merchandise Executive

26.	Merchandise Manager

27.	Merchandise Planner

28.	Merchandising Manager

29.	Procurement Agent

30.	Procurement Manager

31.	Procurement Officer

32.	Procurement Services Manager

33.	Property and Supply Officer

34.	Purchasing Agent

35.	Purchasing Analyst

36.	Purchasing Coordinator

37.	Purchasing Director

38.	Purchasing Manager

39.	Purchasing Officer

40.	Purchasing Supervisor

41.	Sourcing Manager

42.	Sourcing Specialist

43.	Supply Chain Manager

Job Tasks

	Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.

	Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.

	Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.

	Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.

	Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.

	Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.

	Maintain records of goods ordered and received.

	Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.

	Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products or substitute materials.

	Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability.

	Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers.

	Control purchasing department budgets.

	Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.

	Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.

	Administer online purchasing systems.

	Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs.

	Arrange for disposal of surplus materials.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.


		negotiate business contracts

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.


		communicate technical information

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.


		conduct or attend staff meetings

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		locate sources of supply for purchasing

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.


		manage inventories or supplies

		purchase office equipment or furniture

		order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		oversee execution of organizational or program policies

		direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		assign work to staff or employees

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		conduct market research

		analyze market or delivery systems

		analyze market conditions

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.


		develop purchasing policies or procedures

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use cost benefit analysis techniques

		use knowledge of sales contracts

		use appraisal techniques in purchasing

		use inventory control procedures

		use negotiation techniques

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.


		inspect merchandise to determine value

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.


		monitor consumer or marketing trends

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		recommend purchase or repair of furnishings or equipment

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		maintain records, reports, or files

		fill out purchase requisitions

		develop records management system

		maintain administrative services procedures manual

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
	Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents buy a vast array of farm products, durable and nondurable goods, and services for companies and institutions. They attempt to get the best deal for their company—the highest quality goods and services at the lowest possible cost. They accomplish this by studying sales records and inventory levels of current stock, identifying foreign and domestic suppliers, and keeping abreast of changes affecting both the supply of, and demand for, needed products and materials. Purchasing professionals consider price, quality, availability, reliability, and technical support when choosing suppliers and merchandise. To be effective, purchasing professionals must have a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
	Most purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents work in comfortable offices. They frequently work more than the standard 40-hour week, because of special sales, conferences, or production deadlines. Evening and weekend work also is common before holiday and back-to-school seasons for those working in retail trade. Consequently, many retail firms discourage the use of vacation time during peak periods. Travel is sometimes necessary. Purchasers for worldwide companies may even travel outside the United States.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

The word "career" started out as a metaphor. It comes from Middle French "carrière", meaning "race course".

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