Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing.
<ul><li>Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.</li><li>Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.</li><li>Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.</li><li>Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.</li><li>Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.</li><li>Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.</li><li>Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.</li><li>Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.</li><li>Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.</li><li>Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.</li><li>Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.</li><li>Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.</li><li>Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.</li><li>Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.</li><li>Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.</li><li>Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.</li><li>Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.</li><li>Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.</li><li>Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.</li></ul>