Purchasing Agent
Why Is Purchase Management a Job of Tomorrow?
In every industry, whether it is a non-profit organization, school, or healthcare facility, there is a business aspect that must be attended to in order to ensure efficiency. As
a result, these industries need employees with substantial expertise in business knowledge and skills. With some of the fastest growing industries in the country, the business sector is expected to grow by 23.3 percent by 2016, adding more than 4.1 million new jobs to the market, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As businesses large and small continue to grow, purchasing managers will be needed to work with purchasing agents in procuring goods to keep up with consumer demands. Purchasing managers must make supply decisions, taking care to not purchase too little or too much, which is a critical skill with today’s recovering economy. Employment opportunities for purchasing managers are expected to increase three percent by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Purchasing managers make an average salary of $81,570 annually.
What Does a Purchasing Manager Do?
Purchasing managers oversee the purchasing process for a business. The businesses purchasing managers can work for vary greatly, including the apparel retail industry, office supply manufacturers, and heavy equipment manufacturers. Unlike purchasing agents, who handle the tasks of tracking market conditions and estimating future market trends before purchasing materials, purchasing managers have a more complex role in the workforce. They consider not only market trends, but also the quality, reliability, availability, and price of the goods to be purchased. Managers must determine which supplies would be the best to buy, as the cheapest price does not always denote the best purchase option. For example, if the purchasing manager is scouting for steel, he or she may choose to buy more expensive steel that has been proven to last longer than cheaper steel with a history of faultiness. Purchasing managers also have the responsibility of negotiating supply contracts.
What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become a Purchasing Manager?
Although there is no formal education requirement for purchasing managers, most employers prefer those who have completed a bachelor’s degree in the business field. A bachelor’s degree takes four years to earn, and a business degree program covers administration theories, finance, and other related topics. Employers also prefer applicants who are familiar with the organization’s field. For example, retail purchasing managers must be well-versed in retail. Certification is not required, but is available from the Institute for Supply Management and the American Purchasing Society.
