Purchasing Agent Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of a Purchasing Agent includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Develop profitable purchasing strategies
  • Assess supplier profiles and analyze offers
  • Prepare and implement effective negotiation tactics
  • Prepare and submit detailed reports (revenues, buying expenditures etc.)
  • Keep updated records
  • Attend events, fairs and exhibitions to keep abreast of the market’s trends
  • Manage relationships with key suppliers to maintain quality of goods, timely delivery and compliance to terms of contracts
  • Review supplies to ensure quality
  • Monitor stock levels

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Purchasing Agent duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Purchasing Agent roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.