11-3061.00

Purchasing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

Career Cluster:Management & Entrepreneurship
Job Family:Management
Job Zone:Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Industry:Management of Companies and Enterprises
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Technology Tools

Microsoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointOracle PeopleSoftMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordOracle DatabaseSAP software

Key Tasks

  • Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
  • Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
  • Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
  • Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
  • Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
  • Administer online purchasing systems.
  • Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
  • Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.
  • Control purchasing department budgets.
  • Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
  • Resolve vendor or contractor grievances and claims against suppliers.
  • Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability.
  • Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
  • Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products, or substitute materials.
  • Maintain records of goods ordered and received.
  • Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs.
  • Arrange for disposal of surplus materials.

Skills

Speaking
75%
Management of Personnel Resources
75%
Active Listening
75%
Reading Comprehension
72%
Negotiation
72%
Writing
72%
Time Management
72%
Social Perceptiveness
72%
Monitoring
72%
Coordination
69%
Critical Thinking
69%
Judgment and Decision Making
69%
Persuasion
66%
Service Orientation
63%
Systems Analysis
63%
Complex Problem Solving
63%
Instructing
60%
Management of Material Resources
56%
Active Learning
56%
Management of Financial Resources
56%
Mathematics
53%
Systems Evaluation
53%
Learning Strategies
50%
Operations Analysis
41%
Quality Control Analysis
28%
Troubleshooting
25%
Operations Monitoring
25%
Programming
22%
Technology Design
22%
Operation and Control
0%
Repairing
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%
Installation
0%
Science
0%
Equipment Selection
0%

Knowledge

Administration and Management
82%
Customer and Personal Service
75%
English Language
74%
Law and Government
71%
Economics and Accounting
69%
Computers and Electronics
63%
Mathematics
62%
Administrative
60%
Personnel and Human Resources
59%
Education and Training
50%
Communications and Media
46%
Sales and Marketing
46%
Production and Processing
45%
Public Safety and Security
42%
Telecommunications
40%
Building and Construction
38%
Transportation
37%
Engineering and Technology
34%
Design
29%
Psychology
25%
Mechanical
22%
Geography
22%
Sociology and Anthropology
20%
Chemistry
17%
Philosophy and Theology
16%
Food Production
15%
Medicine and Dentistry
13%
History and Archeology
12%
Foreign Language
11%
Physics
11%
Therapy and Counseling
9%
Biology
9%
Fine Arts
7%

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Abilities

Oral Expression
75%
Oral Comprehension
75%
Speech Recognition
72%
Deductive Reasoning
72%
Fluency of Ideas
72%
Speech Clarity
72%
Written Comprehension
72%
Written Expression
69%
Information Ordering
69%
Problem Sensitivity
66%
Inductive Reasoning
66%
Originality
63%
Near Vision
56%
Selective Attention
56%
Number Facility
56%
Mathematical Reasoning
53%
Category Flexibility
53%
Perceptual Speed
44%
Flexibility of Closure
44%
Speed of Closure
44%
Far Vision
41%
Time Sharing
41%
Memorization
41%
Visualization
31%
Auditory Attention
31%
Visual Color Discrimination
28%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Depth Perception
25%
Trunk Strength
19%
Dynamic Strength
13%
Wrist-Finger Speed
10%
Sound Localization
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Reaction Time
0%
Extent Flexibility
0%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
0%
Night Vision
0%
Stamina
0%
Static Strength
0%
Explosive Strength
0%
Finger Dexterity
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Multilimb Coordination
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Control Precision
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Gross Body Equilibrium
0%
Rate Control
0%
Manual Dexterity
0%
Response Orientation
0%
Gross Body Coordination
0%

Work Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
91%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
86%
Getting Information
86%
Working with Computers
84%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
83%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
83%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
82%
Coaching and Developing Others
79%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
78%
Training and Teaching Others
78%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
76%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
76%
Analyzing Data or Information
76%
Processing Information
76%
Documenting/Recording Information
75%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
75%
Developing and Building Teams
75%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
74%
Thinking Creatively
70%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
66%
Scheduling Work and Activities
64%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
63%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
63%
Performing Administrative Activities
62%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
59%
Staffing Organizational Units
58%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
57%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
57%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
54%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
53%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
46%
Assisting and Caring for Others
40%
Selling or Influencing Others
38%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
36%
Performing General Physical Activities
22%
Handling and Moving Objects
19%
Controlling Machines and Processes
18%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
16%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
8%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
7%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

100%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

99%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

90%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

90%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

88%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

88%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

86%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

84%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

82%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

80%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

80%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

79%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

79%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

79%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

75%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

71%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

71%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

65%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

63%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

60%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

58%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

49%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

45%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

45%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

45%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

40%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

34%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

31%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

29%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

26%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

22%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

21%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

21%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

19%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

17%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

16%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

16%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

15%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

15%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

13%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

13%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

11%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

11%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

10%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

8%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

8%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

8%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

7%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

7%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

6%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

5%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

4%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

4%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

4%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

4%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

2%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

1%

Education

Bachelor's degree

53%

Post-secondary certificate

16%

Associate's degree

11%

Interests

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

100

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

76

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

30

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

17

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

17

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

7

Work Styles

Dependability
88%
Attention to Detail
81%
Integrity
80%
Leadership Orientation
79%
Self-Confidence
71%
Cautiousness
69%
Achievement Orientation
66%
Cooperation
61%
Perseverance
58%
Self-Control
57%
Initiative
55%
Social Orientation
55%
Adaptability
49%
Stress Tolerance
45%
Intellectual Curiosity
40%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
40%
Innovation
34%
Sincerity
31%
Optimism
22%
Empathy
21%
Humility
8%

Work Values

Working Conditions
72%
Support
67%
Independence
61%
Recognition
56%
Achievement
50%
Relationships
50%

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