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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Category Purchasing Manager, Commodity Manager, Materials Director, Materials Manager, Procurement Director, Procurement Manager, Purchasing Director, Purchasing Supervisor, Strategic Sourcing Director
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Maintain records of goods ordered and received.
- Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
- Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
- Control purchasing department budgets.
- Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
Technology Skills
- Business intelligence and data analysis software:Qlik Tech QlikView
- Calendar and scheduling software:Scheduling software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software:Microsoft SharePoint
- Data base reporting software:SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
- Data base user interface and query software:Corel Paradox,Database software,Microsoft Access,Oracle DBMS
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization: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.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze data to assess operational or project effectiveness.
- Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.
- Conduct employee training programs.
- Coordinate with external parties to exchange information.
- Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:100% responded"Every day"
- Telephone:95% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:78% responded"Every day"
- Contact With Others:67% responded"Constant contact with others"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:67% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness:Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- 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.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Judgment and Decision Making:Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Knowledge
- Administration and Management:Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Economics and Accounting:Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 75%Bachelor's Degree
- 10%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
- 10%Master's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Fluency of Ideas:The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Enterprising: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.
- Conventional: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.
Work Values
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Work Styles
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Leadership:Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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