What does a contracts administrator do?

A purchasing agent's general task is keeping purchase records and making sure that there won't be any discrepancies with the handling of orders. The purchasing agent should be responsible for the order processing and payment collection. Purchasing agents should also be proficient in interpreting and evaluating data, researching on best marketing sources and alternatives, issuing required documentation for suppliers, as well as managing customer queries as needed. Being a purchasing agent requires critical-thinking skills in assessing concerns and providing solutions should there be any possible negotiation conflicts.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a contracts administrator are more likely to require skills like "contract administration," "contract management," "proposal preparation," and "contract terms." On the other hand, a job as a purchasing agent requires skills like "logistics," "inventory control," "mrp," and "cost savings." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Senior Purchasing Agents are experienced employees in the company's purchasing department. They oversee the purchase requisitions of the employees. They validate requests, ensure that the requestors followed company guidelines, check the availability of the items with the chosen supplier, and forward the purchase order to the supplier. Upon fulfillment of the request, Senior Purchasing Agents check the deliveries, ensure that the items are complete and correct, forward the items to the requestor, and process the payment for the supplier. Senior Purchasing agents also prepare reports, spot trends in employee or department purchases, and create recommendations based on observations. They are also expected to form good working relationships with suppliers.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, contracts administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "contract administration," "proposal preparation," "powerpoint," and "non-disclosure agreements." Meanwhile, a senior purchasing agent has duties that require skills in areas such as "supplier relationships," "continuous improvement," "supplier performance," and "logistics." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

The role of buyers/planners is to ensure that office materials and equipment are well-supplied within their organization. They decide and purchase the materials needed for use or resale by their organization. They are responsible for evaluating prospective suppliers based on their cost, product quality, and delivery times. They are also the ones who negotiate contracts specifying the payment terms, price, and delivery schedules. Most employers prefer their buyer to have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in operations management or business management.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, contracts administrators are more likely to have skills like "contract administration," "contract management," "proposal preparation," and "contract terms." But a planner/buyer is more likely to have skills like "supply chain," "mrp," "erp," and "logistics."

A senior agent manages incoming calls, generates leads, and schedules appointments for important meetings. They must accurately track and respond to the internet leads and provide top quality customer service to the clients. Their job also requires them to travel to multiple countries to monitor company functions. They must also estimate the costs of infrastructure and construction projects.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between contracts administrators and senior agents, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a contracts administrator might have more use for skills like "contract administration," "contract management," "proposal preparation," and "purchase orders." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior agents require skills like "right-of-way," "real estate," "sr," and "work ethic. "