Purchasers
PurchasersPurchasers buy general and specialized equipment, materials or business services for the internal use of establishments. The items they sell are not for resale, although they may sell off used stock once it is no longer needed. Most importantly they seek to obtain the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible purchase cost for their employers. In this paper I will explore some significant points of a purchaser, such as a description of main features, working conditions, education and qualifications that are needed, future prospects... etc.
The purchaser's main features are to determine which commodities or services are best, choose the suppliers of the product or service, negotiate the lowest price, and award contracts that ensure the correct amount of the product or service is received at the appropriate time. To complete tasks successfully, purchasers study sales records and inventory levels of current stock, and have knowledge of changes affecting both the supply of and demand for products and materials for which they are responsible for. Today the efficiencies brought about by computerized systems is allowing workers to expand their duties into more complex tasks. In the past, their time may have been completely taken up by responding to immediate needs within their companies. This meant manually
completing routine tasks such as preparing tenders and purchase orders. Now
they spend more time on planning and researching purchasing needs. This may mean working to establish relationships with suppliers that secure the best prices, services, and delivery options on all potential purchases.The purchasing manager usually handles the more complex or critical purchases and may supervise a group of purchasing agents handling other goods and services. Whether a person is titled purchasing agent, buyer, or manager depends more on specific industry and employer practices than on specific job dutiesMost purchasers work in well-lighted offices, either at stores, corporate headquarters, or service facilities. Normal hours of work reflect a "9-to-5" pattern, though after-hours or weekend work may be required occasionally. For those who work in retail trade, this is especially true prior to holiday seasons. Many retail firms discourage the use of vacation time from late November until early January.Workers in this occupation have above-average earnings. In 1996, annual earnings of purchasers were $33,200. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,300 and $45,900. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,400 while top 10 percent earned more than $63,000. Of course, those with the most education in their field have the highest incomes. Many purchasers spend at least several days a month traveling. Purchasers for worldwide manufacturing companies and large retailers, and buyers of high fashion, may travel outside the U.S. A majority of purchasers are male. Only about one-third of workers in this occupation are women. Compared to other occupations, people...
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