Senior Purchasing Agent Job Description
Purchasing agents are an integral part of every business, especially businesses that require raw materials to manufacture items or retail chains that need to supply their stores. Purchasing agents buy the things that businesses need to work and produce their products or services. Purchasing agents must be good at shopping for the best prices, negotiating and organizing.
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Nature of the Work
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Senior purchasing agents and purchasing agents buy goods for companies or organizations for which they work. They are responsible for securing the best price and negotiating the best delivery fee possible. They are in charge of purchasing terms and conditions that affect each purchase. Purchasing agents work both indoors and outdoors, depending on what types of companies employ them. In some cases, these positions require travel.
Daily Duties
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The senior purchasing agent is responsible for filling material requisitions, recording purchases and accounting for all purchases via an inventory control policy. The purchasing agent is responsible for building relations with vendors and securing a reliable and consistent flow of necessary supplies and materials.
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Training & Education
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Many of purchasing positions, especially those at large companies, require a college degree in business, accounting or management. However, some smaller companies hire entry-level candidates who start out as purchasing clerks and junior buyers. Purchasing positions require a great deal of on-the-job training. Few colleges, if any, have a program specialized in purchasing.
Job Outlook
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Purchasing jobs will always be necessary and in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Overall employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is expected to increase 7 percent during the 2008-18 decade, which is as fast as the average for all occupations." These positions will increase in greater number within large companies as they expand their purchasing departments to take advantage of global pricing strategies.
Salary
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According to Indeed.com, senior purchasing agents in Houston, for example, make an average annual salary of $46,000 as of 2009. However, many senior purchasing agents make in excess of $70,000 per year. This salary is close to the national average but is still 4 percent lower than the average salary for all occupations nationwide.
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References
- Photo Credit warehouse image by Niki from Fotolia.com
