Purchasing Agent

The work of a Purchasing Agent revolves around buying goods and services for use by their own companies, firms or organizations. These goods and services are normally bought for the purposes of reselling and/or further processing. This creates a sense of value addition. Purchasing agents must be savvy buyers as they need to get the best quality goods and services at the most competitive rates for their parent companies and organizations. To be effective at these tasks, purchasing agents make a point of thoroughly scrutinizing sales and inventory records, pinpointing the best domestic and overseas suppliers, and monitoring any changes that may influence the supply and demand of the goods and services that they require.

For a career as a purchasing agent one can begin as a trainee and go up the ropes as a purchasing clerk, expediter, junior buyer and then as an assistant buyer. However, it is prudent to get certification or a bachelor's degree for further career advancement. The level of education required for these jobs is dependent on the size of the hiring organization. Most distributorships and large retailer firms prefer to hire personnel who have bachelor's degrees and a business background. Larger establishments, for example manufacturers, prefer hiring more qualified staff that have bachelor's or master's degrees in various applied sciences or business, economics and engineering. In addition to the academic qualifications, the personnel have to undergo intense training to clearly understand how the particular firms function with regard to purchasing. This industrial based learning period lasts anywhere between 1-5 years. This training is especially crucial since the personnel learn the specifics of the trade on a hands-on basis. This is in reference to purchasing of inventory, inventory and staff management, keeping of records and purchasing patterns. Some of the most recognized and credible certifications for purchasing agents include Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credentials, Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) and Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM) certifications.

Purchasing agents in small organizations and firms are tasked with the duty of scouting the market for the best quality products and the best prices at which these products can be purchased. As such these persons have to have the necessary market intelligence to interpret market demand and supply for these products. For larger organizations and firms, purchasing agents are normally assigned to handle formulated purchasing tasks that are centered on a specified product or group of products. To expedite their purchasing tasks, purchasing agents are required to constantly monitor the market state of affairs, trends in the price levels, and the financial stock markets. Most firms and organizations have specific in-house practices that determine whether a person may be referred to as a purchasing agent, manager or buyer. The common practice though is that purchasing mangers are tasked with the responsibility of overseeing purchasing agents. With regards to employment in government agencies or manufacturing firms, purchasing personnel are normally referred to as purchasing agents, managers or directors. Alternatively they may be referred to as contract specialists. These persons are supposed to adhere to strict codes of practice so as to avoid any incidences of indecorum.

Generally speaking, all categories of purchasing agents are primarily responsible for what their organizations sell into the market. As such, purchasing agents are supposed to be adept at reading market trends, i.e. the anticipation of customers' buying trends, demand and supply of products and services, and the monitoring of stock and sales levels using computer software interlinked to the firm's cash registers.

In addition to the academic qualifications that have been mentioned previously, purchasing agents are supposed to be individuals who have fine planning and decision-making skills coupled with a passion for merchandising. Purchasing agents must have the ability to have sound judgment in terms of interpreting customer demands and preferences, and knowing the best times to stock or restock different types of commodities. Further, they must be self-confident and resourceful. Leadership qualities are necessary to coordinate the purchasing operations in these firms.

Purchasing agents are supposed to be competent in the use of the Internet, word processing and spreadsheet software. They must be able to interpret technical jargon in various suppliers' proposals. Skills in mathematics, supply chain management and financial technicalities are compulsory.

Purchasing agents in sectors that do not include wholesale, retail and farm products earn the largest salaries. Median annual earnings for these purchasing agents were $50,730 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,000 and $66,730 a year. Purchasing agents for farm products come in second while those who deal in wholesale and retail purchasing come in third. In addition to these salaries, purchasing agents like other workers are entitled to sick leaves, pension packages, life and health insurance, and vacations.

Brian Slobodow is the Global Vice President, Supply Chain Integration and Strategic Initiatives at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products. He is in charge of all direct materials and contract manufacturing with a budget of over $1 billion. Ian J. Crawford is the Vice President in charge of Global Sourcing at IBM.

Elite International is an India based firm that has excelled at the sourcing of apparel that includes the following articles of clothing; sweaters, knitwear, woven garments, and leather garments. Cotton Bird Resourcing Inc. are Pakistan based and are established buying agents for handmade brass artifacts, bath linen, kitchen linen, carpets and rugs, durable furniture and gift items.

The productivity of purchasing managers has been greatly enhanced by means of the internet. E-commerce has allowed easy access to market information. The internet has also enabled both big and small firms to submit tenders for various contracts. As such the employment of purchasing managers will grow slower than the average rate. These persons are in most demand in the cities of New York, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles.