A purchasing officer performs administrative tasks, such as preparing and reviewing orders, checking inventory, and receiving items. They work under a purchasing agent and may advise on product orders. They need a high school diploma and good communication skills. Job growth in the field is expected to be below average due to computerized ordering methods.
A purchasing officer usually performs administrative work in the purchasing department of an organization. He may be responsible for preparing orders and reviewing them for accuracy. Another duty might be checking inventory and keeping records of which items to order and when. This employee may be in charge of receiving the items when they are delivered. He could also file claims for lost or damaged goods with the appropriate parties.
This individual typically works under the direct supervision of a purchasing agent. He normally does not negotiate contracts or authorize purchases. He may, however, be responsible for archiving these documents and entering them into a database. He can also enter orders and track his shipments with suppliers.
After an order is placed, a purchasing clerk sometimes reviews it to ensure that the correct items were ordered, at the proper amounts. It can also ensure that the company is not overcharged for merchandise or shipping. It usually does this by reading the request one line at a time, to catch errors before the request is placed.
A purchasing clerk can advise his boss on which products need to be ordered. He can do this by keeping track of inventory in a company’s storage rooms. That person may also need to predict the future use of specific items to make a valid assessment. It may also be called upon to track the use of certain materials if theft or misuse of assets is suspected.
The receiving department may request that a purchasing employee verify that the correct products have been shipped from the seller. In this case, the individual may need to count the items or verify the products with the original order. The clerk can also report items damaged in transit or incomplete shipments. He may also be responsible for trying to get credit from the supplier or carrier when these types of issues occur.
To get a job as a shopping clerk, a person usually only needs a high school diploma. He must have a good understanding of warehouse operations and good communication skills. A history that includes the use of spreadsheets and automated databases can also be helpful.
In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth in this field is likely to be below average. This is largely due to the fact that computerized ordering methods are expected to be used more frequently in the future. There is, however, a need to replace workers who have retired or changed careers so that employment prospects in many areas can remain favourable.
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