More information from O*NET OnLine:

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products - 13-1023.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Buyer
Procurement Specialist
Purchasing Administrator

Purchasing Agent
Purchasing Manager

SOC Occupation Groups

13-0000	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1000	Business Operations Specialists
13-1020	Buyers and Purchasing Agents
13-1023.00	Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Related Occupations

11-3061.00	Purchasing Managers
11-3071.01	Transportation Managers Green
11-3071.03	Logistics Managers
11-9199.04	Supply Chain Managers
13-1051.00	Cost Estimators Bright Outlook
13-1081.00	Logisticians
13-1081.02	Logistics Analysts
13-1111.00	Management Analysts
13-2099.02	Risk Management Specialists
41-1012.00	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Tasks

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, 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 purchased items, costs, deliveries, 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 resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
Negotiate, 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.

Detailed Work Activities

Analyze business or financial data.
Analyze market conditions or trends.
Conduct eligibility or selection interviews.
Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.
Develop business relationships.
Develop technical specifications for systems or equipment.
Establish organizational guidelines or policies.
Estimate demand for products or services.
Evaluate applicable laws and regulations to determine impact on organizational activities.
Execute sales or other financial transactions.
Maintain data in information systems or databases.
Monitor inventories of products or materials.
Monitor organizational processes.
Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.
Obtain information about goods or services.
Pay charges, fees, or taxes.
Purchase products or services.
Supervise employees.
Train personnel to enhance job skills.