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

• Contract Specialist
• Manager, Contracts
• Outside Property Agent
• Procurement Engineer
• Purchasing Agent

• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
• Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
• Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.
• Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
• Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
• Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
• Hire, train and/or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
• Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services and prices.
• Maintain and review computerized or manual records of items purchased, costs, delivery, product performance, and inventories.
• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and in the event of problems trace shipments and follow up undelivered goods.
• Negotiate, or renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
• Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites, and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
• Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
• Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.

• analyze financial data
• analyze sales activities or trends
• communicate technical information
• compute financial data
• confer with sales or purchasing personnel
• confer with vendors
• determine reasonable prices
• develop purchasing policies or procedures
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• fill out purchase requisitions
• follow contract, property, or insurance laws
• hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
• identify supplier with best bid
• inspect merchandise to determine value
• locate sources of supply for purchasing
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make presentations
• manage contracts
• mediate or arbitrate disputes
• monitor consumer or marketing trends
• monitor contract performance
• negotiate business contracts
• obtain information from individuals
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• process account invoices
• use appraisal techniques in purchasing
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write business correspondence
• write business project or bid proposals