Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.
<ul><li>Perform buying duties when necessary.</li><li>Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.</li><li>Compare suppliers' bills with bids and purchase orders to verify accuracy.</li><li>Prepare, maintain, and review purchasing files, reports and price lists.</li><li>Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.</li><li>Check shipments when they arrive to ensure that orders have been filled correctly and that goods meet specifications.</li><li>Review requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.</li><li>Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.</li><li>Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.</li><li>Maintain knowledge of all organizational and governmental rules affecting purchases, and provide information about these rules to organization staff members and to vendors.</li><li>Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.</li><li>Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.</li><li>Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.</li><li>Train and supervise subordinates and other staff.</li><li>Locate suppliers, using sources such as catalogs and the internet, and interview them to gather information about products to be ordered.</li></ul>