What does a media buyer 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.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, media buyer responsibilities require skills like "digital marketing," "campaign performance," "media buying," and "facebook." Meanwhile a typical purchasing agent has skills in areas such as "purchase orders," "customer service," "logistics," and "inventory control." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

A purchasing assistant is responsible for obtaining raw materials and goods for a business or company. They primarily function to assist purchasing managers or supervisors by keeping records, maintaining inventory, reviewing purchase orders, and monitoring shipments and deliveries. Furthermore, a purchasing assistant may perform administrative support tasks ranging from arranging appointments and managing schedules, answering calls and inquiries, reaching out to vendors and suppliers, producing reports, and coordinating with various departments to ensure the smooth flow of products within the company.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that media buyer responsibilities requires skills like "digital marketing," "campaign performance," "media buying," and "facebook." But a purchasing assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "purchase orders," "purchase requisitions," "customer service," and "data entry."

A procurement agent develops profitable measures to save the client money and ensure the quality of goods supplied. Procurement agents obtain the purchased items through suppliers, monitor them, and expedite the orders. They oversee the activities and performance of the suppliers for compliance. Their duties include the verification of item receipts, resolving shipment-related problems, and authorizing purchase payments through documentation. The necessary skills for this job include being accomplished, decisive, and strong communication skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a media buyer is likely to be skilled in "digital marketing," "campaign performance," "media buying," and "facebook," while a typical senior contract administrator/contract administrator is skilled in "contract administration," "proposal preparation," "contract management," and "contract terms."

Even though a few skill sets overlap between media buyers and procurement agents, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a media buyer might have more use for skills like "digital marketing," "campaign performance," "media buying," and "google analytics." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of procurement agents require skills like "supply chain," "strategic sourcing," "supplier performance," and "customer service. "