What does a procurement buyer do?
Procurement Buyers oversee the requisition of goods and services for the company. They receive purchase requisitions from employees or departments and contact possible vendors that can supply the items. They compare the price quotations of these vendors and choose the most cost-efficient option. Upon choosing, procurement buyers notify the vendor and proceed with the request. Procurement buyers are responsible for the receipt of goods from the suppliers. They check the deliveries and ensure that all orders are complete and in good condition. They also handle the receipts and consolidate these for processing of payment.
Procurement buyer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real procurement buyer resumes:
- Lead development of indirect spend category management including executing and managing RFP's.
- Manage activities of purchasing, production planning and scheduling, inventory management, warehousing and logistics.
- Develop a working relationship with numerous suppliers, performing excellent customer service throughout the RFI, RFP, RFQ process.
- Monitor and adjust MRP parts policy report on a regular basis.
- Review and prepare evaluation of RFP data regarding fleet services providers.
- Minimize production shortages through buying to MRP needs and tactical review of demand.
- Provide part production volumes and drawing specifications to suppliers upon request for quotation (RFQ).
- Place orders receive via phone, email and ERP system with approve vendors ensuring accurate price and meeting delivery criteria.
- Participate in all ERP relate meetings to provide and receive troubleshooting information
- Assist other commodities outside primary responsibilities with expediting and purchase order confirmation.
- Function as ISO certify auditor supporting corporate initiatives to acquire ISO certification.
- Procure and collaborate internationally with global commodity managers and buyers for the purchase of prototype commodities.
- Coordinate with warehouses and logistics to optimize domestic and international shipping process; submit recommendations which lower costs.
- Issue RMA's to receiving area to return defective materials.
- Requisition raw materials, schedule delivery and track OTD performance.
Procurement buyer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Procurement Buyers are proficient in Purchase Orders, Supplier Performance, and Logistics.
We break down the percentage of Procurement Buyers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Purchase Orders, 18%
Prepared Request for Proposals and other necessary paperwork for developing, awarding and administering purchase orders in accordance with project requirements.
- Supplier Performance, 10%
Monitored supplier performance, ensured delivery schedules were met, resolved discrepancies and conducted contract closeout.
- Logistics, 6%
Coordinated with warehouses and logistics to optimize domestic and international shipping process; submitted recommendations which lowered costs.
- POS, 5%
Directed and assisted agencies and film separators in development of temporary POS specifications.
- Procurement Process, 4%
Maintain full responsibility for using focus, attention-to-detail, and excellent communication skills to support key activities/functions of the procurement process.
- Cost Reduction, 3%
Negotiate supplier price reductions as they become necessary and in accordance with customer cost reduction initiatives.
Common skills that a procurement buyer uses to do their job include "purchase orders," "supplier performance," and "logistics." You can find details on the most important procurement buyer responsibilities below.
The three companies that hire the most procurement buyers are:
- Honeywell57 procurement buyers jobs
- L3Harris13 procurement buyers jobs
- Sysco12 procurement buyers jobs
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Compare different procurement buyers
Procurement buyer vs. Supply chain analyst
A supply chain analyst is responsible for handling the supply chain operations of an organization, aligning processes, and identifying areas of improvement to initiate procedures and create smooth supply delivery transactions. Supply chain analysts monitor the adequacy of stock inventory, including the trends in the market industry, to meet the public demands and ensuring that the business provides those interests. They also evaluate the supply cycle, from the planning stages to the final distribution, and analyzing aspects to minimize complexities and cost-reduction without compromising the quality of services.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a procurement buyer are more likely to require skills like "procurement process," "strong negotiation," "supplier relationships," and "product quality." On the other hand, a job as a supply chain analyst requires skills like "supply chain," "customer service," "power bi," and "continuous improvement." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Supply chain analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $71,146. On the other hand, procurement buyers are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $71,550.The education levels that supply chain analysts earn slightly differ from procurement buyers. In particular, supply chain analysts are 6.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a procurement buyer. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Procurement buyer vs. Landman
Landmen are referred to as the public-facing side of a gas, mineral, and oil exploration and production team. They are professionals who interact and negotiate directly with landowners for the acquisition of gas and oil drilling leases. Their duties include acquiring subsurface mineral rights from the landowners. They negotiate mineral rights, which include marketing and leasing right from the owner. The skills necessary for the job include management skills, leadership, communication skills, and attention to detail.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, procurement buyer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "purchase orders," "supplier performance," "logistics," and "pos." Meanwhile, a landman has duties that require skills in areas such as "ownership reports," "title searches," "due diligence," and "right-of-way." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, landmen achieve similar levels of education than procurement buyers. They're 3.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Procurement buyer vs. Subcontract administrator
As a subcontract administrator, you will be responsible for identifying the needs of a company and implement measures and initiatives to fulfill those needs. This role will require you to perform a few tasks, including responding to purchase requisitions, soliciting bids and proposals from new and existing sources, and evaluating terms and awarding the subcontract. You are then expected to monitor the subcontract terms, including plans, progress, and payments. You will also be responsible for negotiating additions, modifications, and deletions of subcontracts.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, procurement buyers are more likely to have skills like "supplier performance," "logistics," "pos," and "procurement process." But a subcontract administrator is more likely to have skills like "program management," "bid packages," "non-disclosure agreements," and "dod."
Subcontract administrators make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $84,146. On the other hand, procurement buyers are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $71,550.subcontract administrators typically earn similar educational levels compared to procurement buyers. Specifically, they're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Procurement buyer vs. Contracts administrator
Contract administrators create and manage legal contracts from which the company participates. They ensure that all entities to the contract will accomplish their obligations, as indicated in the contract. They usually work for larger organizations that might be involved with different or highly complex contracts. These organizations spread across a range of industries, including government, construction, and healthcare. Their responsibilities include addressing any conflicts of questions regarding the contract, analyzing the possible risks posed by contracts, and working alongside the legal and procurement teams.
Types of procurement buyer
Updated January 8, 2025
