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Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

Tasks
19 tasks19 core
Family
Business & FinancialOne of its 50 occupations
Code
13-1023.00SOC 2018: 13-1023

Read the 19 tasks Download this record as JSON

What the work is made of

All 19 are core tasks, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.

Core: central to the job

  1. Task 1. Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.Core taskTask 1146Rated by 22 occupational experts, August 2019
  2. Task 2. Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.Core taskTask 1143Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  3. Task 3. Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.Core taskTask 1147Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  4. Task 4. Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.Core taskTask 1142Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  5. Task 5. Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.Core taskTask 1145Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  6. Task 6. Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.Core taskTask 1159Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  7. Task 7. Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.Core taskTask 1156Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  8. Task 8. Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.Core taskTask 1151Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  9. Task 9. Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.Core taskTask 1144Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  10. Task 10. Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.Core taskTask 1149Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  11. Task 11. Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.Core taskTask 1150Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  12. Task 12. Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.Core taskTask 1148Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  13. Task 13. Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.Core taskTask 1153Rated by 22 occupational experts, August 2019
  14. Task 14. Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.Core taskTask 1157Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  15. Task 15. Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.Core taskTask 1152Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  16. Task 16. Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.Core taskTask 1158Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  17. Task 17. Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.Core taskTask 1154Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  18. Task 18. Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.Core taskTask 1155Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019
  19. Task 19. Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.Core taskTask 1160Rated by 23 occupational experts, August 2019

Where this comes from

Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.

How we copy and credit sources
  1. Published by
    O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
  2. Classification
    Standard Occupational Classification 2018, 13-1023
  3. License
    CC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
  4. Changed by us
    Nothing.

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