Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Product Career: Job Outlook and Market Research to Become a Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Product.

SNAPSHOT

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.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	HIGH
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.

Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.

Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.

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.

Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.

Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.

Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.

Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.

Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.

Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.

MAIN 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.

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

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

AREAS OF 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.

Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Economics and Accounting	Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

TOP SKILLS

Negotiation	Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Management of Financial Resources	Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

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