AccountancyISCO 3323
Purchase planner
A purchase planner is a person who organises the continuous supply of goods on the basis of contracts that are already in place.
Check yourself in a minute: purchase planner
Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
perform multiple tasks at the same time
identify suppliers
visit suppliers
track price trends
maintain relationship with suppliers
About purchase planner
The planner works out what will be needed and when, places orders against the contracts already signed, and times deliveries so that production or sale does not have to wait and the warehouse is not overstocked. Purchasing procedures are carried out within those contracts, and purchase terms are negotiated where a contract leaves room for it.
The planner applies supply chain management and knowledge of transport methods, because how goods travel determines the lead time a plan has to allow.
Price trends are followed, so that an order can be brought forward or held back when the price of a material changes, and new business opportunities are identified, which here means a supplier, a route or a contract structure that costs less or carries less risk. Export control rules apply where goods cross borders, and some products cannot be shipped to some destinations regardless of a contract. The planner multitasks.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
embargo regulationsembargo regulationsThe national, international and foreign sanctions and embargo regulations, e.g. Council Regulation (EU) No 961/2010.export control principlesexport control principlesThe restrictions a country imposes on its exported products and goods.transportation methodstransportation methodsKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.international import export regulationsinternational import export regulationsThe principles that govern the import and export of products and equipment, trade restrictions, health and safety measures, licenses, etc.supply chain managementsupply chain managementThe 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.perform multiple tasks at the same timeperform multiple tasks at the same timeExecute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.identify suppliersidentify suppliersDetermine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likel...visit suppliersvisit suppliersVisit local or international suppliers to get an accurate understanding of their services and report back to clients on that basis.track price trendstrack price trendsMonitor 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.maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild 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.apply numeracy skillsapply numeracy skillsPractise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.assess supplier risksassess supplier risksEvaluate supplier performance in order to assess if suppliers follow the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and provide the desired quality.perform procurement processesperform procurement processesUndertake ordering of services, equipment, goods or ingredients, compare costs and check the quality to ensure optimal payoff for the organisation.prepare purchasing reportingsprepare purchasing reportingsPrepare documentation and files related to product purchases.manage purchasing cyclemanage purchasing cycleOversee complete purchasing cycle, including generating requisitions, PO creation, PO follow-up, goods reception, and final payment actions.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.identify new business opportunitiesidentify new business opportunitiesPursue potential customers or products in order to generate additional sales and ensure growth.negotiate buying conditionsnegotiate buying conditionsNegotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.
Optional (25) — show
procurement lifecycleprocurement lifecycleThe procurement lifecycle includes the various phases from planning and pre-publication to post-award and contract management.international businessinternational businessThe processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.manufacturer's recommended pricemanufacturer's recommended priceThe estimated price the manufacturer suggests the retailer to apply to a product or service and the pricing method through which it is calculated.procurement legislationprocurement legislationThe procurement legislation at national and European level, as well as adjacent areas of law and their implications for public procurement.category specific expertisecategory specific expertiseThe features and specificities relevant to one or more categories of supplies, services or works, including suppliers, technical parameters and market conditions.create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...check shipmentscheck shipmentsInspect and verify the content, condition and status of shipments, goods and packages that are being transported, to ensure that inbound and outbound shipments are accurate and undamaged. It involves ...communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.design indicators for food waste reductiondesign indicators for food waste reductionDetermine key performance indicators (KPI) for reducing food waste and managing in line with established standards. Oversee the evaluation of methods, equipment and costs for food waste prevention.analyse logistic changesanalyse logistic changesAssess the financial impact of possible logistics changes such as shipping modes, product mixes or volumes, carriers and means of product transportation.implement sustainable procurementimplement sustainable procurementIncorporate strategic public policy goals into procurement procedures, such as green public procurement (GPP) and socially responsible public procurement (SRPP). Contribute to reducing the environment...perform procurement market analysisperform procurement market analysisCollect information on key market drivers and on the potential bidders in order to provide an in-depth view of which supplies and services can or cannot be provided by the market and under what condit...assess procurement needsassess procurement needsDetermine the underlying needs of the organisation and of the end-users regarding the subject matter of the procurement, including the possible impacts in terms of value for money or environmental imp...negotiate sales contractsnegotiate sales contractsCome to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.analyse consumer buying trendsanalyse consumer buying trendsAnalyse buying habits or currently prevalent customer behaviour.implement procurement of innovationimplement procurement of innovationDevelop innovation procurement strategies to drive innovation from the demand side, considering forward-looking and alternative solutions that involve either buying the process of innovation or buying...manage procurement planningmanage procurement planningDevelop and implement procurement planning that translate the policy choices of the organisation into where and how public procurement should be used to cost-effectively purchase the required supplies...conduct research on food waste preventionconduct research on food waste preventionResearch and evaluate methods, equipment and costs for reducing and managing food waste. Monitor recorded measurement data and identify areas for improvement relating to food waste prevention.use e-procurementuse e-procurementUse digital procurement technologies and e-procurement applications and tools in order to reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency, and strengthen transparency and accountability of procuremen...carry out statistical forecastscarry out statistical forecastsUndertake a systematic statistical examination of data representing past observed behaviour of the system to be forecast, including observations of useful predictors outside the system.report accounts of the professional activityreport accounts of the professional activityRecount events and facts which happened in professional contexts.plan scheduleplan scheduleDevelop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.develop food waste reduction strategiesdevelop food waste reduction strategiesDevelop policies such as staff meal or food redistribution to reduce, reuse and recycle food waste where possible. This includes reviewing purchasing policies to identify areas for reducing food waste...show diplomacyshow diplomacyDeal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.manage standard enterprise resource planning systemmanage standard enterprise resource planning systemCollect, manage and interpret data relevant for companies related to shipping, payment, inventory, resources and manufacturing using specific business management software. Such software as Microsoft D...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a purchase planner do?
Purchase planners organise the continuous supply with goods out of existing contracts.
What skills does a purchase planner need?
A purchase planner needs 19 essential skills, including embargo regulations, export control principles, transportation methods, international import export regulations, supply chain management.
Will AI replace purchase planner jobs?
The AI disruption score for purchase planner is 78/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manufacturer's recommended price, prepare purchasing reportings, analyse consumer buying trends. Most resilient: show diplomacy, visit suppliers, maintain relationship with suppliers.
AI Replacement Risk
78/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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