Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Overview

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products has a national median salary of $77,710 per year, with +6% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

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.

Work Values

• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Support

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
• Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Working with Computers
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Detailed Work Activities

• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products:

Video Resources