Global purchasing managers negotiate contracts, communicate with international suppliers, and oversee purchasing teams. They must be experts in business cultural differences and often travel to visit suppliers. A bachelor’s degree in purchasing or international relations is required, and speaking multiple languages is an asset. They must also stay informed of international issues and have backup plans in case of disruptions.
A global purchasing manager negotiates, oversees and manages global purchasing contracts. This usually involves understanding all aspects of business, shopping and advertising. Many global purchasing managers also learn a second and sometimes a third language to better communicate with those they deal with most during the course of business.
The main difference between a domestic purchasing manager and a global purchasing manager is that the global purchasing manager must be an expert in business cultural differences. Contracts may not be in his first language and he must be able to communicate questions and concerns effectively until the contract is exactly what it should be.
Communicating with employees is another responsibility of a global purchasing manager. He or she often acts as a liaison between your company and the international suppliers you work with. The global purchasing manager not only explains the good points of the contract, but also frequently discusses the supplier’s business culture to help the operation run smoothly.
Global purchasing manager travel is generally expected. Companies that have suppliers around the world often send their purchasing managers to visit, communicate inventory needs and resolve disagreements. The value of this communication can mean the difference in ongoing business relationships with suppliers and the exclusion of supplies.
Companies often require the global purchasing manager to possess a bachelor’s degree in purchasing or international relations. Many purchasing managers earn a master’s degree to increase their market value. Speaking more than one language is considered a significant asset in this field.
Another duty of a global purchasing manager is to supervise the purchasing team. It typically has a dollar limit that purchasing agents work with. For example, a company might instruct the manager to personally sign off on any purchase with a certain amount of money. He or she can also instruct team members that certain vendors must deal directly with the manager, such as in cases where cultural differences may not be understood by the majority of the team.
Global purchasing managers must stay abreast of international issues. For example, if a country where the manager’s company buys supplies suddenly comes under siege, the manager must know who to contact to continue doing business. On the other hand, if it is no longer possible to do business there, the manager should have a backup plan with another company so that production is not interrupted.
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