Position Overview
Purchasing agents work for companies that have high needs for material procurement.
They administer bidding processes, evaluate bids and recommend vendors. They actually earn money for shopping for a company!
This means that they are deeply involved in evaluating the availability of materials, handling price information and ensuring that the right quality is obtained.
On a broader scale, purchasing agents make sure that the company they are working for has access to equipment and materials that they need in order to function on a daily basis.
They may work in many types of environments – any company that has a need for procurement has to hire a purchasing agent.
Position Requirements
It is imperative for people aspiring to become purchasing agents to possess a high school diploma at the very least.
However, many companies do require a degree in business or economics as working in this position requires one to be deeply familiar with the workings of a business. Knowledge of supply management is a plus point for anyone who is looking for a career as a purchasing agent.
A purchasing agent needs to be a skilled negotiator since he has to deal with vendors and suppliers on a constant basis.
What else does a purchasing agent do? Read on to find out!
See Also: Purchasing Agent Cover Letter Sample
Job Description for Purchasing Agent Resume
• Determine the company’s needs for procurements of materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Obtain purchasing orders from supervisors and ensure that enough funds are released to meet the demands of the purchase order.
• Verify purchase requisitions from supervisors with a view to clarifying unclear or unavailable items.
• Provide suggestions for inexpensive alternatives.
• Ensure that items listed on the purchase order are not available in inventory – identify any available items and provide supervisors information of redundancy.
• Assist in preparing purchase orders by providing information regarding low supplies.
• Contact vendors and suppliers and ask for price and availability information.
• Negotiate bulk costs with vendors and supplies and agree on a mutual cost.
• Provide decision makers within the company with cost information and take purchasing approvals.
• Ensure that orders are expediting by following up with vendors on a regular basis.
• Verify receipt of orders delivered by suppliers and ensure that the correct quantity has been received.
• Authorize payments for purchase by filling out and forwarding completion forms.
• Ensure that suppliers are paid in a time efficient manner.
• Make sure that all information pertaining to purchases is filed properly and is easily accessible.