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Procurement Buyer Duties and Responsibilities

To accomplish their primary goal of arranging the purchase of goods that an organization requires, Procurement Buyers perform many tasks. We analyzed several job listings to identify these core Procurement Buyer duties and responsibilities.

Identify Purchasing Needs Procurement Buyers determine the purchasing needs of the organization. They work with other parts of the organization to forecast demand and evaluate inventory levels, and take orders from within the organization.

Negotiate with Suppliers Procurement Buyers negotiate directly with vendors to get the best possible pricing and payment options. They bid, award, and administer project supply, services, and construction subcontracts and purchase orders to suppliers. They also do cost management to identify areas of potential cost reduction and analyze the impact of pricing changes for goods and services

Inventory Management Procurement Buyers are responsible for the management of the inventory. They assist in the receipt of purchased materials and services, and keep detailed records of purchases and stocks. They carefully monitor deliveries and any past due shipments.

Supplier Management Procurement Buyers build relationships with suppliers and manage their performance. They conduct routine supplier business reviews, evaluating supplier performance and compliance.

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Procurement Buyer Skills

Self-directed and detail oriented, successful Procurement Buyers have an inquisitive nature and the desire to solve problems with analytical thinking. They have good organizational skills and experience with working as part of a team. In addition to these general skills and personality traits, employers are seeking Procurement Buyer candidates with the following skills. Core skills: Based on job listings we looked at, employers want Procurement Buyers with these core skills. If you want to work as a Procurement Buyer, focus on the following.

  • Deep understanding and professional experience with Purchasing Contracts
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, especially Excel
  • Excellent negotiation, customer service and consulting skills
  • Strong market knowledge and experience in working across various functions, businesses and regions
  • In-depth knowledge of Oracle R12 EBS platforms and services

Advanced skills: While most employers did not require the following skills, multiple job listings included them as preferred. Add these to your Procurement Buyer toolbox and broaden your career options.

  • VMS system experience
  • BeeLine knowledge
  • CPM or CPIM qualifications
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Procurement Buyer Resources

We searched the Web to find the best industry resources to help you continue exploring a career as a Procurement Buyer. From thought leaders to industry groups, this list is packed with opportunities to learn, connect and engage. On the Web

Procurify – Find industry insights, events and information on best practices. Buyers Meeting Point – A blog and online forum where professional Procurement Buyers share their knowledge and experiences. Supllibase – A resource that connects Buyers to Suppliers, as well as an interesting blog. On LinkedIn

Procurement Professionals – A huge networking group with over 350,000 members in the procurement business.

PURCHASER, BUYER, PROCUREMENT OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY – A big group specifically for Procurement Buyers in the Oil and Gas industry.

Supply Chain, Logistics, Purchasing & Procurement Jobs, Careers and Recruitment Group – Find a job as Procurement Buyer. Industry Groups

American Purchasing Society – A professional association for Buyers, offering certification, online resources and job listings.

Institute for Supply Management – This organization offers online courses and news and research on supply management, a crucial part of a Procurement Buyer’s job. Procurement Buyer Books

Procurement, Principles & Management, 11th ed. – An in-depth overview of the principles and practices of procurement.

The Procurement and Supply Manager’s Desk Reference – This text contains everything there is to know about the key roles and responsibilities of a Procurement Buyer, along with practical aids and advice.