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.	Strategic Sourcing Manager

44.	Subcontract Administrator

45.	Supply Chain Manager

Job Tasks

	Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers. Negotiate sales or lease agreements for products or services.

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

	Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training. Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information. Conduct employee training programs. Hire personnel.

	Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales. Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information. Coordinate with external parties to exchange information.

	Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment. Prepare forms or applications.

	Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures. Implement organizational process or policy changes. Develop organizational policies or programs. Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.

	Maintain records of goods ordered and received. Maintain operational records.

	Prepare bid awards requiring board approval. Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

	Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability. Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities. Implement transportation changes to reduce environmental impact.

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

	Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers. Resolve employee or contractor problems.

	Control purchasing department budgets. Prepare operational budgets.

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

	Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy. Examine financial records to ensure compliance with policies or regulations.

	Administer online purchasing systems. Direct financial operations.

	Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs. Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

	Arrange for disposal of surplus materials. Schedule product or material transportation.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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
	Purchasing managers plan, direct, and coordinate the buying of materials, products, or services for wholesalers, retailers, or organizations. They oversee the work of procurement-related occupations including buyers and purchasing agents.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Purchasing Managers
	Most purchasing managers work full time. Many work more than 40 hours per week.

	Read More >>

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