Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Buyer
• Procurement Official
• Procurement Specialist
• Purchasing Agent

Alternate Job Titles

• Buyer
• Contract Administrator (Contract Admin)
• Contract Analyst
• Contract Specialist
• Contractor Buyer
• Contracts Manager
• Equipment, Supplies, and Tools Purchasing Agent
• Fuel Agent
• Fuel Buyer
• General Purchasing Agent
• Log Buyer
• Lumber Buyer
• Media Buyer
• Ore Buyer
• Price Analyst

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
• Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
• Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• English Language
• Law and Government
• Customer and Personal Service
• Administration and Management
• Administrative

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Negotiation
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Active Listening
4. Writing
5. Speaking
6. Complex Problem Solving
7. Critical Thinking
8. Active Learning
9. Judgment and Decision Making
10. Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Written Comprehension
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Speech Clarity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Self-Confidence
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Working Conditions
• Relationships
• Support
• Independence
• Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Acrobat
• Google Docs
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft SharePoint

Tools & Equipment

• 10-key calculators
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Laser facsimile machines
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers
• Personal digital assistants PDA
• Photocopying equipment
• Scanners
• Tablet computers

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Telephone Conversations
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Contact With Others

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.