Profession purchaser

Purchasers select and purchase stock, materials, services or goods. They organise tender procedures and select suppliers.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional

Knowledge

• International import export regulations

  Know the principles that govern the import and export of products and equipment, trade restrictions, health and safety measures, licenses, etc.

• Supply chain management

  The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

• Export control principles

  The restrictions a country imposes on its exported products and goods.

• Embargo regulations

  The national, international and foreign sanctions and embargo regulations, e.g. Council Regulation (EU) No 961/2010.

Skills

• Track price trends

  Monitor the direction and momentum of the product prices on a long-term basis, identify and predict the movement of prices as well as identify the recurring trends.

• Apply procurement

  Undertake ordering of services, equipment, goods or ingredients, compare costs and check the quality to ensure optimal payoff for the organisation.

• Coordinate purchasing activities

  Coordinate and manage procurement and renting processes including purchasing, renting, planning, tracking and reporting in a cost efficient way on an organisational level.

• Compare contractors' bids

  Compare proposals to award a contract in order to execute specified jobs within a prescribed frame of time.

• Maintain relationship with customers

  Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.

• Speak different languages

  Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

• Maintain relationship with suppliers

  Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

• Have computer literacy

  Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

• Manage tender processes

  Organise the process of writing and designing proposals or bids for tenders.

• Assess supplier risks

  Evaluate supplier performance in order to assess which suppliers do or may not perform adequately, stick to the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and desired quality at all times or who may pose future risks.

• Manage purchasing cycle

  Oversee complete purchasing cycle, including generating requisitions, PO creation, PO follow-up, goods reception, and final payment actions.

• Manage contracts

  Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.

• Ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations

  Implement and monitor company activities in compliance with legal contracting and purchasing legislations.

• Issue purchase orders

  Produce and review the documents needed to authorise shipment of a product from the supplier at a specified price and within specific terms.

• Identify suppliers

  Determine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likelihood of obtaining beneficial contracts and agreements with them.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB