Occupation Profile

Industries Employing
 

Purchasing Agents
(SOC Code : 13-1023)
in California

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing. Include contract specialists, field contractors, purchasers, price analysts, tooling coordinators, and media buyers. Exclude "Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products" (13-1021) and "Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products" (13-1022).

Employers are usually looking for candidates with a Bachelor's degree .
Occupational Wages[Top]
Wages for this occupation in California are not available.

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
Projections for this occupation in California are not available.

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Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in State of California
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
Aerospace Product and Parts Manu6045.3%
Navigational, Measuring, Electro1,5085.0%
Management of Companies and Enterpri5,3544.6%
Advertising, Public Relations, a12,6553.7%
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component 1,6543.5%
Scientific Research and Developm12,8923.4%
General Medical and Surgical Hos1,4773.2%
Building Equipment Contractors 27,5412.7%
Computer Systems Design and Relate10,4742.6%
Computer and Peripheral Equipmen5202.6%
Architectural, Engineering, and Re18,7072.1%
Management, Scientific, and Tech34,6772.0%
Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturin4871.6%
Medical Equipment and Supplies M2,5531.4%
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manu6761.3%
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, a1,1131.2%
Employment Services5,1101.2%
Professional and Commercial Equi4,8911.1%
Communications Equipment Manufacturing 5071.0%
Industrial Machinery Manufacturing 3381.0%
Private Colleges, Universities, an1,5191.0%
Household Appliances and Electri6,2781.0%
Office Administrative Services 5,5731.0%

About Staffing Patterns
 
Training Programs (click on title for more information)[Top]
Program Title
General Merchandising, Sales, & Related Marketing Operations
Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General

About Training & Apprenticeships
 
About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier`s reputation and history.
Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
Maintain and review computerized or manual records of items purchased, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.

More Tasks for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Top Skills used in this Job
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

More Skills for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

More Abilities for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.
Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

More WorkValues for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

More Interests for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Alternate Titles
Contract Specialists; Procurement Clerks; Procurement Specialists; Purchasing Managers
 
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