What Do Purchasing Agent Do?

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

Life As a Purchasing Agent: What Do They Do?

• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
• Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
• Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.

Purchasing Agent Required Skills

These are the skills Purchasing Agents say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Contracts Administrator
• General Purchasing Agent
• Sourcing Specialist
• Log Buyer
• Purchaser

Is There Going to be Demand for Purchasing Agents?

There were about 309,400 jobs for Purchasing Agent in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Purchasing Agent. The BLS estimates 23,800 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Purchasing Agent are Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools do Purchasing Agents Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Purchasing Agents:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Data entry software
• SAP
• Microsoft Project
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft Dynamics
• IBM Notes
• Google Docs
• FileMaker Pro
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

How do I Become a Purchasing Agent?

Individuals working as a Purchasing Agent have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Purchasing Agent?

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Purchasing Agent may also be interested in:

• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Private Detectives and Investigators

Those who work as a Purchasing Agent sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Sales Engineers
• Regulatory Affairs Specialists
• Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Nick Nijhuis via Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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