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Purchasing Officer
What is a purchasing officer?
A purchasing officer is responsible for sourcing and buying goods or materials that are later resold or used as part of a business's daily operations. When they work for retail businesses, procurement officers primarily source products that the business then sells to make aprofit. In contrast, when they work for businesses that make their own products, procurement officers source materials that the business later uses in the manufacturing process.Depending on the size of the organisation, procurement officers may specialise in a particular type of product or a certain aspect of the buying process. Here are some of a procurement officer's primary duties:Related:What does a purchasing manager do?
Sourcing products
The first aspect of purchasing involves sourcing products. Procurement officers liaise with sales, marketing, product development,manufacturingand warehouse departments to establish their purchasing needs. Then, they research and evaluate vendors to find the most suitable products and prices. Sometimes, this research involves visiting potential vendors' offices or warehouses.
Negotiating purchasing terms
After sourcing suitable inventory, procurement officers negotiate with vendors to achieve the best possible prices and terms. It's usually possible to negotiate price breaks and bulk discounts, but factors like dispatch times and return policies also play a key role in these negotiations. Once procurement officers agree on suitable terms with avendor, they can then prepare a contract and formally make purchases.Related:How to write a purchaser cover letter (With examples)
Receiving products
Procurement officers are also responsible for tracking orders and monitoring deliveries to ensure that their employer receives products correctly. They check the quality of the materials or goods and communicate with the vendor if problems occur. Moreover, they update stock databases after receiving the goods and coordinate with warehouse staff to ensure that these goods are correctly stored.
Monitoring stock and costs
Many procurement officers monitor stock levels so they can easily and quickly make future orders. Sometimes, they prepare reports to help them understand the stock's movement in and out of the business to optimise order size and frequency. Additionally, they may perform routine cost analyses to help the business calculate profit margins and make improvements.
Wellingborough (/ˈwɛlɪŋbərə/ WEL-ing-bər-ə) is a large market town in the Wellingborough district of Northamptonshire, England, 11 miles (18 km) from Northampton on the north side of the River Nene.[3][4]
Originally named "Wendelingburgh" (the stronghold of Wændel's people),[5] the Anglo-Saxon settlement is mentioned in the Domesday Book as "Wendelburie". The town was granted a royal market charter in 1201 by King John.[6]
At the 2011 census, the town had a population of 49,128.[1] The Borough Council of Wellingborough has its offices in the town centre.[7] The town is twinned with Niort in France, and with Wittlich in Germany.
The town is predicted to grow by 30 per cent under the Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) study, and the government has identified Wellingborough as one of several towns in Northamptonshire where growth in jobs and housing will be directed.[8] The area will see an addition of around 10,000 homes by 2031, mainly to the east of the town.[9] Wellingborough, along with Corby and Kettering together comprise the core of the North Northamptonshire growth area, coordinated by the North Northamptonshire Joint Planning and Delivery.[10] The town also has a growing commuter population as it is on the Midland Main Line railway, operated by East Midlands Railway, with trains to London St Pancras International taking under an hour, and an interchange with Eurostar services.[11]
