AccountancyISCO 3323

Purchaser

A purchaser is a person who selects and buys the supplies, materials, services or goods an organisation needs, organising tender procedures and choosing the suppliers.

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Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

identify suppliers

maintain relationship with customers

speak different languages

track price trends

maintain relationship with suppliers

About purchaser

The purchaser compares contractors' offers, which means putting unlike bids onto the same basis: the price against the specification, the delivery time, the warranty, the cost of the thing over its life rather than at the till. Purchasing procedures are then carried out, and the purchasing cycle is managed from the request through the order to the invoice and the record of what was received.

The purchaser follows price trends and reports price changes to the people who have to plan around them, for example in purchase plans and budgets.

The purchaser also maintains relationships with clients and with selected suppliers. Knowledge of supply chain management covers where a material actually comes from, how many links the chain has and which of them is the weakest. Export control rules apply where goods cross borders, and some items cannot be bought from or shipped to certain places regardless of price. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

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.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.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...maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.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.manage tender processesmanage tender processesOrganise the process of writing and designing proposals or bids for tenders.coordinate purchasing activitiescoordinate purchasing activitiesCoordinate and manage procurement and renting processes including purchasing, renting, planning, tracking and reporting in a cost efficient way on an organisational level.issue purchase ordersissue purchase ordersProduce and review the documents needed to authorise shipment of a product from the supplier at a specified price and within specific terms.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...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.compare contractors' bidscompare contractors' bidsCompare proposals to award a contract in order to execute specified jobs within a prescribed frame of time.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.communicate price changescommunicate price changesTransparent, straightforward and effective communication with all departments involved; clearly communicate about price changes and their possible consequences.

Optional (17) — 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.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.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.conduct performance measurementconduct performance measurementGather, assess and interpret data concerning the performance of a system, component, group of people or organisation.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.analyse logistic needsanalyse logistic needsAnalysing the logistic needs of all the different departments on the organisational level.analyse supply chain strategiesanalyse supply chain strategiesExamine an organisation's planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products...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...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...report accounts of the professional activityreport accounts of the professional activityRecount events and facts which happened in professional contexts.identify new business opportunitiesidentify new business opportunitiesPursue potential customers or products in order to generate additional sales and ensure growth.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

purchase planner11 shared essential skills ICT buyer9 shared essential skills ICT vendor relationship manager8 shared essential skills purchasing manager7 shared essential skills import export manager5 shared essential skills import export manager in agricultural machinery and equipment5 shared essential skills import export manager in agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feeds5 shared essential skills import export manager in beverages5 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a purchaser do?

Purchasers select and purchase stock, materials, services or goods. They organise tender procedures and select suppliers.

What skills does a purchaser need?

A purchaser needs 19 essential skills, including embargo regulations, export control principles, international import export regulations, supply chain management, identify suppliers.

Will AI replace purchaser jobs?

The AI disruption score for purchaser is 55/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: analyse consumer buying trends, report accounts of the professional activity, supply chain management. Most resilient: maintain relationship with suppliers, maintain relationship with customers, speak different languages.

AI Replacement Risk

55/ 100

High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

analyse consumer buying trends report accounts of the professional activity supply chain management

Skills resilient to automation

maintain relationship with suppliers maintain relationship with customers speak different languages

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Quick Facts

SectorAccountancy

ISCO GroupBusiness and administration associate professionals

Essential Skills19

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