Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

Also called: Buyer, Contract Administrator (Contract Admin), Procurement and Contracting Administrator (Procurement and Contracting Admin), Procurement and Contracting Buyer, Procurement Official, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Administrator (Purchasing Admin), Purchasing Agent, Purchasing and Contracts Coordinator, Contract Analyst, Contract Specialist, Contractor Buyer, Contracts Manager, Equipment, Supplies, and Tools Purchasing Agent, Fuel Agent, Fuel Buyer, General Purchasing Agent, Log Buyer, Lumber Buyer, Media Buyer, Ore Buyer, Price Analyst, Print Buyer, Procurement Agent, Procurement Analyst, Procurement Coordinator, Procurement Engineer, Pulpwood Buyer, Pulpwood Contractor, Purchaser, Purchasing Coordinator, Purchasing Specialist, Railroad Purchasing Agent, Replenishment Buyer, Sourcing Specialist, Subcontract Administrator (Subcontract Admin), Subcontract Associate, Timber Buyer, Tools, Supplies, and Equipment Purchasing Agent

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.

Skills, machines and equipment

Negotiation
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Complex Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Judgment and Decision Making
Monitoring
Persuasion
Management of Financial Resources

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (65.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

60,800–100,820 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 13-1023.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop inventory, scheduling, planning, and supply-chain analysis experience; explore coordinator, planner, or logistics-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (65.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products