Purchasing officers buy general and specialized equipment, materials or business services for the internal use of establishments. The items they buy are not for resale, although they may sell off used stock once it is no longer needed. Purchasing officers are employed throughout the government and private sector.
What purchasing officers do varies a lot from company to company. In smaller organizations, everybody does a little bit of everything. In large ones, purchasing officers tend to specialize.
You can focus on the actual process of buying from suppliers. You identify and consider possible suppliers, selecting the best ones. You also negotiate the contracts, the prices, and the terms and conditions of the agreement with the supplier.
Another specialization involves making sure that suppliers deliver quality products on time. You work with the suppliers to solve any problems that might come up. If it's appropriate, you can recommend contract amendments.
Some purchasing managers specialize in administrative tasks. In this case, you gather and coordinate information needed for administrative purposes. You prepare formal purchasing documents and write reports to senior management and other groups in the organization.
Do you have what it takes?
A fourth specialization involves the collection and analysis of information needed in order to make better purchasing decisions. For example, you might take a look at where market prices are going, what new types of materials are being developed, or the costs involved in producing a specific type of product. You also study what services and materials your organization needs.
Purchasing officers may hire, train and supervise purchasing clerks. You may also specialize in particular materials or services such as office equipment and supplies or data processing. Purchasing officers are paid an annual salary.
As a profession, purchasing is getting more sophisticated all the time. A career in purchasing today can lead to a high degree of achievement and recognition.
It's a job for resourceful people who enjoy solving problems. Both the technology and the markets involved are getting more complex, so you have to be willing to research each problem thoroughly. Careful attention to detail pays off. You also have to be able to think creatively about problems, looking at them in new ways. The best purchasing officers are self-starters who are willing to go the extra distance to provide good service.
A good purchasing officer knows how to establish a good rapport with suppliers and salespeople. Negotiations demand very good communication skills.
Those with high school diplomas enter as purchasing clerks, whereas those with a university degree or a college diploma start at a more senior level, such as junior buyer, and advance more quickly through the ranks.
The purchasing Management Association of Canada offers part-time studies to become a Certified Professional Purchaser, which qualifies the holder for more senior positions. The full process takes from five to ten years, depending on your level of education. High school graduates generally take about seven and a half years to finish. Most companies will pay for ongoing training of their employees.
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