Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Course Advisor; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a detail-oriented Purchasing Agent to enhance operational efficiency. In this dynamic role, you will be responsible for procuring essential machinery, tools, and services while developing strategic purchasing programs that optimize inventory levels. Your expertise in negotiation and complex problem-solving will be vital as you collaborate with vendors and internal teams to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking organization, where your contributions will streamline processes and support overall business objectives. If you're passionate about supply chain management and eager to drive results, this is the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Experience with financial resource management is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic purchasing programs based on sales records.
• Analyze price proposals and monitor supply and demand changes.

Skills

Negotiation

Reading Comprehension

Complex Problem Solving

Speaking

Active Listening

Management of Financial Resources

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SAP

Microsoft Office

Oracle PeopleSoft

Job description

Purchasing Agent Example: Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing.

Daily Life Of a Purchasing Agent

• Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
• Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
• Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
• Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
• Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.

Key Skills for Purchasing Agents

Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Management of Financial Resources: Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Tools & Technologies Used by Purchasing Agents

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Access
• SAP
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft Dynamics
• IBM Notes
• Google Docs
• FileMaker Pro
• Oracle PeopleSoft

How to Become a Purchasing Agent

Learn what Purchasing Agent education requirements there are.