Description
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.
- • Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- • Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- • Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
- • Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- • Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- • Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
- • Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
- • Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
- • Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
- • Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
- • Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
- • Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
- • Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
- • Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
- • Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
- • Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
- • Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.
- • Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
- • Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
