Will “Purchasing Agent” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job 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.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 11-3061.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 117,720.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 56.00
• Currently, there are 71,750 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Purchasing Managers”.

Also Known As…

• Purchasing Managers
• Purchasing Supervisor
• Purchasing Manager
• Purchasing Director
• Procurement Officer
• Procurement Manager
• Materials Manager
• Director of Strategic Sourcing
• Director of Purchasing
• Director of Materials
• Commodity Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Subcontract Administrator
• Strategic Sourcing Manager
• Sourcing Specialist
• Sourcing Manager
• Purchasing Officer
• Purchasing Coordinator
• Purchasing Analyst
• Property and Supply Officer
• Procurement Services Manager
• Procurement Agent
• Merchandising Manager
• Merchandise Planner
• Merchandise Manager
• Merchandise Executive
• Merchandise Director
• Materials Coordinator
• Material Manager
• Livestock, Grain, Cotton and Other Farm Products Purchasing Director
• Leasing Manager
• Import Coordinator
• General Merchandise Manager
• Division Merchandise Manager (DMM)
• Demand Planner
• Contracts Specialist
• Contracting Officer
• Contracting Manager
• Contract Manager
• Contract Coordinator
• Contract Administrator
• Commissary Superintendent
• Circuit Walker
• Circuit Rider
• Buyer

Tasks for “Purchasing Agent”

• Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
• Arrange for disposal of surplus materials.
• Maintain records of goods ordered and received.
• Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
• Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
• Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
• Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
• Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs.
• Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers.
• Administer online purchasing systems.
• Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Control purchasing department budgets.
• Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
• Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products or substitute materials.
• Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
• Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.

Related Technology & Tools

• 10-key calculators
• Personal computers
• Desktop computers

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• PurchasingNet eProcurement
• Purchasing software
• Microsoft Access
• Epicor Vantage ERP
• Microsoft Project
• Scheduling software
• Bowen & Groves M1 ERP
• Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
• Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Financial Management Solutions
• Inventory management software
• Bottomline Technologies Bottomline Sprinter Purchasing Manager
• Web browser software
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• SAP
• Ariba Spend Management Suite
• Microsoft Word
• Infor Lawson Supply Chain Management
• Microsoft Office
• Automated purchase order software
• Corel Paradox
• Point of sale POS software
• Microsoft Excel
• Database software
• Oracle Primavera P6 Enterprise Portfolio Project Management
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft Outlook
• IBM Lotus Notes
• Materials requirement planning MRP software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Oracle DBMS
• SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports