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Purchasing Agent

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What Do Purchasing Agent Do?

Job Description & Duties Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing.

Life As a Purchasing Agent: What Do They Do?

  • Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
  • Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier’s reputation and history.
  • Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
  • Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
  • Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
  • Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.

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Qualities of a Purchasing Agent

Below is a list of the skills most Purchasing Agents say are important on the job.

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.

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

Types of Purchasing Agent

  • Traveling Buyer
  • Purchasing Coordinator
  • Tools, Supplies, and Equipment Purchasing Agent
  • Fuel Agent
  • Outside Property Agent

Is There Job Demand for Purchasing Agents?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 309,400 jobs in the United States for Purchasing Agent. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Purchasing Agent. The BLS estimates 23,800 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Purchasing Agent are Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools do Purchasing Agents Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Purchasing Agents may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Project
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • IBM Notes
  • Google Docs
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

How to Become a Purchasing Agent

Individuals working as a Purchasing Agent have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Purchasing Agent may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as a Purchasing Agent sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Nick Nijhuis via Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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