Take a free class in management communication from MIT's Sloan School of Management to get a jumpstart on the skills you'll need in this career.

Take an online class in management communication. 

There are a variety of risks that companies and organizations face that can cause them to incur losses. Get trained and certified to be able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk factors. 

Get certified in risk management.

The skills of a project manager are desirable qualities in a variety of careers & some even require certification. Do your research on various certification programs that would benefit your career. 

Get certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP).

Prepare to take on that leadership role by gaining valuable management tools and techniques that help improve processes within an organization.

Get Lean Six Sigma certified.

Learn about the basics of operations management by taking a class online or at your school. Discover how this skill can benefit a variety of careers. 

Take an operations management class. 

Learn about the basics of auditing and how this skill can be used in a variety of careers. Take a class online or at your school. 

Take a class on auditing.

Think of a problem at your school and brainstorm a solution. Write down the problem and your approach, and why you think that this new approach would work. Do you like tackling problems like this?

Find something that bothers you—then fix it.

Obtaining a purchasing certification can give you an advantage in the world of business and supply chain management. Check out what it takes to get started today!

Become a Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP). 

Obtain a compliance certification in order to stand out in the job market or take your current career to the next level. Check out what it takes to get started today!

Become a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP).

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

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.

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

First Interest High-Point

Second Interest High-Point

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Buyers and Purchasing Agents

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

Business Operations Specialists

Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.

Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.

Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.

Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.

Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.

Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.

Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.

Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.

Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.

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.

Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.

Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.

Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.

Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.

Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.

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.

Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.

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Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Overview

Career

What Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products Do

Other Job Titles Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Overview

Career

What Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products Do

Other Job Titles Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders