Purchasing Managers
What is a Purchasing Manager?
A Purchasing Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the procurement process within an organization. Their primary role involves sourcing goods and services that the company requires to operate effectively. This position is critical to maintaining a competitive edge, as it directly impacts the cost structure and quality of the products or services offered by a business. Purchasing Managers analyze market trends, negotiate contracts, and establish relationships with suppliers to secure optimal pricing and quality for their organization's purchases. They also ensure compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies, manage inventory levels, and collaborate with various departments to align purchasing strategies with the organization's overall goals. Effective Purchasing Managers must possess strong analytical skills, negotiation capabilities, and a deep understanding of supply chain management.
Tasks
- Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
- Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
- Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
Technology Skills
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Presentation software
- Procurement software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
Tools Used
- Desktop calculator
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Desktop computers
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Personal computers
Knowledge
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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.
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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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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Skills
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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.
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Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Bachelor's degree
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Associate's degree
Work Activities
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Communicating with People Outside the 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.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Detailed Work Activities
- Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
- Develop organizational policies or programs.
- Implement organizational process or policy changes.
- Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
- Coordinate with external parties to exchange information.
Work Interests
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Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$83510.0 - $215170.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.