Purchasing Manager
What's it like to be a Purchasing Manager?
Being a Purchasing Manager entails directing and supervising the activity of the purchasing department. The Purchasing Manager is in charge of a team that deals with procuring or acquiring goods and equipment that are important to a company’s operations, either for resale or production. They must ensure that the company’s procurement helps them optimise costs and save more.
Tasks and duties
- Assessing and collecting inventory of available materials to determine supplies to be restocked.
- Preparing and processing purchase orders for materials and equipment.
- Developing organisational guidelines for procurement.
- Creating merchandise cost reports.
- Preparing contracts for procurement with suppliers and vendors.
- Ensuring the best prices for supplies and equipment and handling other negotiations on behalf of the company.
- Forecasting trends and market shifts in case of changes in market conditions.
How to become a Purchasing Manager
There is no specific degree required to become a Purchasing Manager, however, a degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field will help with obtaining a managerial position.
Graduate with a polytechnic or university degree, preferably in a field such as finance, marketing, economics, or business.
Be on the lookout for upskilling opportunities such as certifications in your field.
Find a job with companies in fields such as logistics or manufacturing, where Purchasing Managers are crucial.
Gather experience and good leadership skills along the way to get promoted to a managerial position.
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