Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents

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Duties

Buyers and buying agents are usually responsible for:

• Evaluate suppliers' products and services based on price, quality, and delivery speed.
• Obtain information from suppliers by visiting their factories or distribution hubs.
• Attend trade shows and seminars to keep up with industry news.
• Price suggestions, financial records, and other data can be used to assess fair pricing.
• These people negotiate contracts on behalf of the corporation.
• Set delivery dates and other arrangements with vendors.
• Consult with employees and vendors to identify and address issues with substandard products or services.
• Evaluate and monitor contracts to see if vendors and suppliers are following contract terms and conditions and if any changes are required.
• Retain thorough records of all purchases and costs, as well as all inventory levels.
• Purchasing managers also organize the work of buyers and purchasing agents.

Purchasing managers also establish their purchase policies and procedures. These rules help procurement professionals avoid conflicts of interest and inappropriate supplier and customer relationships.

Buyers and purchasing agents acquire anything from agricultural products to non-durable goods. The best bargain for their company: high-quality goods and services at low prices They accomplish this by tracking sales and inventory levels, identifying domestic and foreign suppliers, and monitoring changes in supply and demand for products and resources.

Purchasing agents and buyers evaluate several criteria while making purchases. Successful purchasing agents and purchasers must be knowledgeable about the items or services they are acquiring.

A buyer's or purchasing agent's main duty is to evaluate suppliers. They ensure that delays do not occur in the supply chain, allowing manufacturing to continue and consumers to return.

Buyers and purchasing agents use several methods to research potential suppliers. They attend conferences, trade shows, and seminars to keep up with industry trends and network with possible vendors.

Frequently, prospective suppliers are interviewed, and their facilities and distribution centers inspected. They could talk to product designers, production managers, or receiving managers about quality issues.

Buyers and buying agents must guarantee suppliers can provide required goods or services on schedule, in sufficient quantities, and without compromising quality. After obtaining supplier information, contracts are signed, and orders are issued with suppliers who meet the company's needs.

Buyers who buy for resale may influence what a corporation sells. They must be able to read their clients' minds. They may make a mistake, jeopardizing the company's revenues and image.

Businesses often hire buyers who specialize in one or two product or service sectors. Smaller businesses and governments may have more diversified purchasing duties.

Buyers and purchasing agents are classified as follows:

Purchasing agencies and farm product buyers buy agricultural goods for processing or resale. These include grain, cotton, and tobacco.

Aside from wholesale, retail, and agricultural products, buying agents buy commodities for business. This includes industrial and office supplies, chemicals, and other industrial equipment.

They acquire from wholesalers and merchants who resale to others. Examples of this sort of goods are clothes and electronics. Purchasers or merchandise managers are those who buy finished goods to resell.

Education

Purchasers, buyers, and purchasing brokers frequently need a bachelor's degree. Some programs allow students to study military technology. Purchasing managers must also have five years of experience in the sector.

The size of a corporation influences buyer and purchasing agent education needs. While some institutions accept a high school diploma, others need a bachelor's degree. Many jobs just require a business, finance, or supply management degree. Bachelor's degrees in agricultural, agricultural production, or animal science may be beneficial as farm products purchasers.

Training

Buyers and purchasing agents are trained by their companies in their initial few months. During this time, employees will learn basic duties including checking inventory levels and negotiating with suppliers.

Licenses and certifications.

Buyers and brokers can get several qualifications. Many companies do not need certification, while others do.

Several of these credentials involve an oral or written exam, as well as schooling and work history.

This is an American Purchasing Society (APS) CPP (Certified Purchasing Professional). A CPP certification is valid for 5 years. Professional progress is required to renew certification. To be certified, candidates must first have purchased experience, as well as education and professional contributions (such as published articles or delivered speeches).

The Association for Supply Chain Management offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). A bachelor's degree or three years of relevant business experience is required for the CSCP. It is good for five years. Candidates must retain certification by completing professional development hours.

Next Level Purchasing Association offers SPSM certification (NLPA). Aside from the SPSM test, there are no educational or work experience requirements. The certification is valid for four years. To renew certification for four years, applicants must complete 32 hours of procurement-related continuing education.

The Universal Public Procurement Certification Council offers two levels of certification for government workers (UPPCC). To become a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), candidates must have an associate degree, three years of public procurement experience, and relevant training. The Certified Public Purchasing Officer requires five years of public procurement experience, a bachelor's degree, and further training (CPPO).

Every five years, CPPB and CPPO holders must attend procurement-related conferences or seminars.

The National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) and the National Association of State Procurement Officials provide UPPCC exam preparation courses.

Expertise in a Related Field

Purchasing managers often have five years of experience as buyers or buying agents. Manufacturing and logistics managers may discover that their tasks overlap with those of the buying manager.

Advancement

An experienced buyer can move up to assistant buying manager from purchasing manager, supply manager, or head of materials management.

Expert buying managers, purchasers, and purchasing agents can fill the role of Chief Procurement Officer (CPO).

Importance Criteria

Customers and buyers must assess the benefits and drawbacks of numerous providers before selecting one that provides the best value for money, good quality, and quick delivery.

Decision-making capacity They must be able to quickly and accurately identify items that they anticipate their target audience would like.

Math savvy Buying managers, buyers, and brokers must have math skills. Comparing prices from several providers might help consumers find the best bargain.

The capacity to bargain. Purchasing managers, buyers, and buying agents typically negotiate supplier contracts. Interpersonal skills and self-assurance, as well as product knowledge, are typically helpful in negotiations.

Pay

There was a $66,690 yearly median wage for buyers and purchasing agents as of May of 2020. There are two extremes of earnings in each given occupation: those earning more than the median and those earning less. The lowest tenth earned less than $39,810, while the top tenth made more than $112,170.

Job Projections

Purchasing managers, purchasers, and purchasing agents are expected to lose 4% of their jobs between 2020 and 2030.