Purchasing

A company purchasing agent is often known as a buyer because buying is their primary responsibility. Purchasing agents are responsible for buying a wide variety of goods for businesses or organizations. The type of goods and the use of the goods vary by the type of business. For instance, retail purchasing agents are responsible for buying the inventory that will be put up on store shelves or otherwise be made available for purchase by customers. A restaurant purchasing agent is responsible for purchasing food that will be used as ingredients in dishes served to customers. However, purchasing agents have the additional responsibility of buying materials that are only used internally as supplies. In addition, some purchasing agents are responsible for buying company assets such as furniture, computer equipment, appliances, or other machinery needed for the operation of a business.

Purchasing agents are supervised by a purchasing manager. The purchasing manager usually makes the decisions about what to buy and when, while the purchasing agent carries out the decisions made by the manager. Purchasing agents may also take inventory, look for stock shortages, and find replacements for out-of-stock products.

It is generally assessed that purchasing agents for retail businesses and wholesale businesses have a more complicated job than purchasing agents merely buying supplies and assets. However, some manufacturing companies use purchasing agents to buy raw materials and complex machinery, which can make for a very challenging job.

In retail businesses, buyers may have a large responsibility because they determine which products should be sold by the store or by the company as a whole. Some buyers work for a specific store, while others work for a store headquarters and buy products that will be made available for all stores in a chain.

Purchasing agents must also have interpersonal communications skills because they sometimes must talk to customers about products they would like to see in the store or products that can be special-ordered for them. Also, purchasing agents must often communicate with vendor representatives over the phone and on the job site. Vendors will inform the purchasing agent of new products available, popular products that should be carried and products being eliminated. The purchasing agent must oversee vendor representatives while they are on site. Some vendors will take back old products and give the store credit for them. They may also help to set up displays in conjunction with the purchasing agent.

If you like to buy products, but you are not sure if you would make a good purchasing agent, taking a career assessment test or an aptitude test will help you understand if you have the skills and necessary mindset.