Purchasing Manager

Job overview
Purchasing managers are involved in buying items which are then used for processing or for resale, thus ensuring the effective supply of raw materials, equipment, merchandise and services to their company.

What do people do in this job?
Most large enterprises have a specialised section, which deals with the purchasing of merchandise, goods and services.

Purchasing managers determine the needs of the company's different departments, find suitable suppliers and negotiate reasonable prices and delivery dates.

They must establish good relationships with suppliers and find those who offer the best value for the company's money.

They must therefore have good knowledge of negotiation techniques.

Purchasing managers should be well-informed concerning the particular needs of a company, available goods and services, possible suppliers, prices and price trends in order to keep the purchasing cost of goods and services as low as possible.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Purchasing managers must recognise and make use of favourable opportunities and be willing to take calculated risks.

They must have good judgment and initiative, as well as organisational and negotiating skills.

Above all they must be honest persons with integrity.

What qualifications are needed?
There are no specific qualifications but, apart from good school-leaving results in mathematics, some tertiary qualifications in commerce or bookkeeping will be an advantage.