Question: I have some experience in retail as a buyer for a small store, but would like to move to a manufacturing environment and become a purchasing agent. I think there are more opportunities and better pay in larger manufacturing settings. Am I right? What would you advise me to do in order to prepare for employment as a purchasing agent?
—Ron

Response: You are right! Generally the pay is better and there are more opportunities for advancement in a large manufacturing environment.

Large industrial or manufacturing organizations usually distinguish between the work of a buyer or purchasing agent and that of a purchasing manager.

Purchasing agents and buyers typically focus on routine purchasing tasks, often specializing in a commodity or a group of related commodities. Purchasing managers usually handle the more complex or critical purchases and may supervise a group of purchasing agents handling other goods and services.

A purchasing department staff may consist of several positions. The assistant purchasing agent and senior buyer are directly responsible to the purchasing agent. A junior buyer is assigned to the simple purchases. Whether a person is titled purchasing, agent, buyer, manager or assistant depends more on specific industry and employer practices than on specific job duties.

Purchasing agents, like buyers seek to obtain the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price for their employers. Their work generally involves determining which commodities or services are best, determining the suppliers of the product of service, negotiating the lowest price. Then, they award contracts that ensure that the correct amount of the product or service is received at the appropriate time.

In order to accomplish these tasks successfully, purchasers and buyers study sales records and inventory levels of current stock, identify suppliers, and keep abreast of changes affecting both the supply and demand for products and materials for which they are responsible. Purchasers and buyers evaluate and select suppliers based upon price, quality, availability, reliability, and selection.

Employment Outlook:
Much faster than average growth is projected for through 2008 for purchasing agents, managers, and buyers. The projected increase in demand for exported goods is expected to stimulate job growth for wholesalers.

Projected Salary Range:

PURCHASING AGENT/BUYER
projected 2002 annual salaries in Los Angeles updated by Economic Research Institute:
YEARS EXPERIENCE 10th PERCENTILE TIME SERIES MEDIAN 90th PERCENTILE
10 $ 52,749 $ 61,193 $ 76,951
5 $ 43,481 $ 50,399 $ 63,431
1 $ 35,625 $ 41,249 $ 51,970

Training Options and Costs
Many employers prefer to promote from within their own company. Industry experience is as important as knowledge of the individual company and its products and procedures.

The current trend even for entry-level positions is moving toward requiring more educational background, such as graduation from an academic or certificate program. Some employers prefer college graduates with a Business Administration, Merchandising, Marketing, or Finance background. In addition, employers may provide some on the job training.

UCLA Extension
(310) 825-9971
www.unex.ucla.edu
UCLA Extension offers an eight-course certificate program in Purchasing and Material Management in cooperation with the California Association of Public Purchasing Offices (CAPPO) and the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM). This can take from one to two years to complete.

Tuition: approximately $400 per course, plus books. Some of the courses may be used in acquiring points toward achieving Accredited Purchasing Professionals (APP) and Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) Certifications. Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) is a designation conferred by the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM) after completion of course work, field work, and four examinations.

Membership in NAPM is not required to engage in the certification process. For more information, call NAPM: (310) 545-2822

Associations:
National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM)--Los Angeles Office
e-mail: napmla@napmla.org
President: Mitzie Ford, C.P.M., A.P.P.
For general information, contact Allison at: (310) 545-2822
This association of purchasing agents, managers and purchasing department employees meets monthly and conducts regular conferences, seminars and workshops. The organization publishes a newsletter and maintains a Los Angeles-based job referral system for members. First Year Dues: $230, $190 for each year after the 1st. There is a membership drive on January 19, 2002, which will include a seminar. For those interested, participants will be able to attend the seminar with their first year dues paid for $230. Meeting Schedule: 1st Thursday of each month except January 2002 when the meeting is the 2nd Thursday of the month. Meetings are held at LAX Hilton from approximately 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. You don't need to be a member to attend these meetings.
NAPM San Fernando Valley Chapter
Phone: (818) 993-0995
www.napm.sfv.org
e-mail: info@napmsfv.org
Member Chair for the San Fernando Valley Chapter: Allen Mann, C.P.M.
(805) 584-4100 Ext. 8193
Dues: $190.00 for first year and $160.00 each year after the 1st Meeting Schedule: 2nd Wednesday of the month except Dec and July when there are no meetings. Meetings are at the Odyssey. Pre-dinner is around 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., presentation at 8:00 p.m. Members pay $25 for meetings and non-members pay $20.

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Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.