Purchasing Manager Job Description Example, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the purchasing manager job description, including key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that employers/recruiters usually expect candidates to meet to be hired for the purchasing manager role.

What Does a Purchasing Manager Do?

Purchasing managers oversee the planning and coordination of an organization’s purchasing operations.

The purchasing manager job description entails playing a vital role in ensuring an organization secures the best products/services at the best prices.

Purchasing managers conduct analysis of a target market to identify and get the best purchasing deals.

They maintain a list of similar products/services and compare their prices to determine the best choice of products for purchase.

They also conduct analysis of sales patterns and inventory levels of existing stock in order to take key procurement decisions.

In performing their duties, purchasing managers carry out assessments to identify suppliers capable of delivering high quality goods/services within set time constraints.

They contract these suppliers to deliver products and services to meet the needs/requirements of an organization.

They also oversee preparation and processing of purchase orders according to established company policies.

Usually, purchasing managers maintain accurate records of purchased goods.

They ensure proper documentation of purchase records as well as product inventory and deliveries.

Their work description also involves creating and maintaining up-to-date profile of suppliers, products, and prices.

As part of their responsibilities, purchasing managers direct and coordinate the operations of the purchasing department to ensure they align with set standards.

They hold regular meetings to discuss ways to improve procurement operations and ensure the quality of purchased products/materials.

In fulfilling their role, purchasing managers conduct negotiations with suppliers/vendors to determine product price, delivery schedule, and credit terms.

Ensuring that all product purchases are in line with company policies and procedures as regards procurement is also part of the purchasing manager description.

Managers in charge of purchasing also prepare monthly reports of purchasing operations and submit to upper management.

They build and maintain good working relationship with vendors to ensure consistent supply of quality products/services.

The purchasing manager job requires a Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, material management, or in other related field.

To succeed in this career, the skills you need include networking, negotiation, and analytical skills.

Purchasing Manager Job Description Example/Template

Purchasing managers perform various functions in ensuring that quality products are procured for their companies at great prices.

The major tasks, duties, and responsibilities of this role are highlighted in the job description example shown below:

• Ensure suppliers comply with internal quality standards and external laws
• Conduct assessments to identify new and reliable suppliers/vendors
• Build and maintain positive trust relationships with key suppliers and vendors
• Develop and implement best practices, procedures, and policies for procurement
• Expedite purchase orders and ensure suppliers deliver requested items within set time constraint
• Create and maintain an up-to-date supplier/vendor database
• Evaluate business contracts to ensure compliance with legal requirements
• Oversee the management of supplier/vendor product cost, quality and delivery performance
• Direct and supervise the activities of purchasing agents to ensure effective performance of job duties
• Seek and gain approval of executives to secure purchasing contracts with new suppliers or vendors
• Continuously compare product prices and service quality to ensure a company gets the best deals on purchased products/services
• Maintain accurate record of relevant purchase document for reference purposes
• Oversee the processing of payment and preparation of invoices
• Prepare and manage budget for the purchase department
• Carry out market analysis to determine future product/material availability.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Purchasing Manager Job

If you are seeking the job of a purchasing manager, the requirements most employers may want you to fulfill include the following:

• Education and Training: To become a purchasing manager, you require a Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, materials management, or in other similar field. Several years of experience as procurement or purchase agent may also be required. Having a working knowledge of project management principles and supply chain systems is also useful for the purchasing manager job position
• Negotiation Skill: Purchasing managers are adept at conducting negotiations with suppliers to determine contract terms and product price
• Networking Skill: They are skilled in building and maintaining professional contacts in order to discover new opportunities for better procurement deals
• Analytical Skill: They are able to conduct research to discover profitable purchasing deals and suppliers offering such deals
• To be hired for this job, employers may want you to take and pass certain assessment tests to prove you have the desired qualities for the position.

Conclusion

The sample purchasing manager job description provided in this post can serve as a template to help you easily design a detailed work description for the role in your company.

The job description you produce can help you to attract the best candidates for the job if you are hiring, and to assign the right tasks and responsibilities to those hired.

The information provided in this post is also useful to individuals interested in working as manager in charge of purchasing for a company; to help them learn about the role they will be required to play in an organization when hired.