Procurement/Purchasing Manager
A purchasing manager buys products for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, review product quality, and often supervise purchasing agents and buyers. In smaller companies, the purchasing manager may also act as the agent or buyer.
Purchasing managers buy products, durable and nondurable goods, and services for organizations and institutions. They try to get the best deal for their organization - the highest quality goods and services at the lowest cost. They do this by studying sales records and inventory levels of current stock, identifying foreign and domestic suppliers, and keeping up to date with changes affecting both the supply of, and demand for, products and materials. They consider price, quality, availability, reliability, and technical support when choosing suppliers and merchandise. To be effective, they must have a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be bought.
Evaluating suppliers is one of the most critical functions of a purchasing manager. Many organizations now run on a lean manufacturing schedule and use just-in-time inventories, so any delays in the supply chain can shut down production and potentially cost the organization customers.