Purchasing Associate Job Description

Purchasing Assistants in Re-Distribution

Purchasing assistants are responsible for ordering products and materials that agree with their employer's brand. Their duties include maintaining relationships with Suppliers, Vendors or Wholesalers, placing orders for products based on current inventory needs and tracking shipments from manufacturing locations to retail stores or company warehouses. A long-term growing re-distribution company is looking for a Purchasing Assistant.

The duties include daily processing of purchase orders, reviewing inventory levels, updating and maintaining pricing, responding to 150+ e-mails daily, new item set-up, updating weekly reports, managing promotional items and communications from customers. It's a plus that you have vision experience. Purchasing assistants work for corporations industries that require the purchase or sale of products.

They work with other Purchasing Assistants, Sales people, Accountants and Logistics Specialists to determine budgets for purchasing products, the types of products to buy and the progress of inventory shipments. They review sales numbers and order products based on customer demand. They may be responsible for updating contact information.

People with a high school or GED can get Purchasing Assistant positions. Some roles require at least an associate degree or Bachelor's degree in a related field. Purchasing assistants with administrative experience or knowledge of inventory management have an advantage over other applicants.

After hiring candidates, employers often provide extensive training to help them understand their operating protocols. A Purchasing Assistant can move to a senior role with enough experience and education. Purchasing assistants are proficient in purchase, supply and inventory management.

The Salary Structure of Purchasing Assistants

The salaries of purchasing assistants are based on a number of factors. The salary link is where you can find the most up-to-date salary information. Purchasing assistants will receive on-the-job training to help them learn the purchasing process.

Depending on the experience level of the candidate and the scope of responsibilities, training can take up to a year. Before starting the day-to-day responsibilities of the role, training may involve a colleague or supervisor. An entry-level purchasing assistant may only do a small amount of negotiating under their supervisor, but the terms of a contract with a vendor is an important part of the job.

The purchasing assistant needs to have self-confidence and good communication skills. Entry-level positions do not require a high school degree. A degree in business or finance will help you stand out from the crowd.

Take an inventory of the education they prefer and review the purchasing assistant job openings in your area. If you are still in high school, you should contact the companies to see if they offer internship programs or if you can shadow one of their purchasing assistants to learn more about the role. The other skills that are required for a role outside of on-the-job experience are reviewed.

You can find classes that will give you the soft or hard skills that are important to the role. There are temporary or part-time positions in the purchasing department. You can look for volunteer opportunities where you can practice the skills you have learned.

Purchasing Professional Certification: A Critical Assessment

Purchasing professional certification requires good judgement and decision making. Purchasing professionals need to be sensible and evaluate their decisions by the process, rather than by randomness. You need to have the skill to prioritize activities for prospering in the field of purchasing.

You should be able to quickly evaluate potential worse case scenarios and rank the tasks in order of which they need to be dealt with and which can be put off. Every purchasing professional needs to have and develop a crucial skill called relationship building. Building and nurturing relationships can help you make the best of your situation.

Purchasing Jobs in Large Companies

There are several key positions within a purchasing department and they each have their own purchasing job description. The Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Clerks and Administrative Assistants are the main staff members. Purchasing agents are more likely to be found in large companies and government offices.

They are charged with making sure that the best use of the businesses money is made and that there is no money tied up in stock and supplies. There are three main roles in a purchasing department and one exceptional one that can be found in more institutional companies. You will be making a great contribution to the company's profits if you choose a job description that is similar to your own.

Purchasing Professionals: A Survey

Are you interested in business operations? Do you enjoy shopping and comparing prices? You might enjoy the world of purchasing if you are.

A good team of purchasing professionals is required for any business that depends on smart purchases. Purchasing agents are required to stay on top of equipment depreciation and make necessary upgrades on time and within a budget. Other purchasing agents work as operations managers that oversee all purchasing decisions.

People entering a typical office job within a supply chain or manufacturing company often work in the purchasing department. Some of the lower-level positions do not require employees to have a college degree, but that is not ideal. Even those without a college degree can do basic math calculations if they want to purchase something.

Logisticians have a unique responsibility of purchasing on the front and back-end of their job. Logisticians coordinate relationships between their company and the Purchasing Agents at other companies before they purchase product. Logisticians work in firms that supply products.