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This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Procurement agents and officers

• Evaluate risk, assess, prepare forecasts, scenarios and other factors concerning the supply market, and write reports and recommendations
• Provides research and input into the financial sourcing aspects of contracts and calls for tender when information is not readily available
• Identify high impact cost reduction opportunities
• Leverage the organization’s buying power to optimize costs, access new suppliers, reduce lead times, and guarantee supply
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential buyers and suppliers to the organization
• Respond to customer service inquiries and clarify requirements and provide information as needed.

Purchasing agents and officers

• Purchase general and specialized equipment and materials, business services and land or access rights for use or for further processing by their establishment
• Assess requirements of an establishment and develop specifications for equipment, materials and supplies to be purchased
• Invite tenders, consult with suppliers and review quotations
• Determine or negotiate contract terms and conditions, award supplier contracts or recommend contract awards
• Establish logistics of delivery schedules, monitor progress and contact clients and suppliers to resolve problems
• Negotiate land acquisition or access rights for public or private use, and may conduct field investigations of properties
• May hire, train or supervise purchasing clerks.

• Procurement and purchasing agents and officers usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics.
• Procurement and purchasing agents and officers purchasing specialized materials or business services may require a related university degree or college diploma. For example, a bachelor's degree or college diploma in engineering may be required for purchasers of industrial products.
• A certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) may be required.
• Previous experience as a purchasing clerk or as an administrative clerk may be required.
• Certification from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) may be required.
• Sourcing specialists and analysts usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in economics, logistics, operations management, finance, engineering, mathematics, or statistical analysis.
• Previous work experience in supply chain for sourcing specialists and analysts is usually required.

• Procurement and purchasing agents and officers may specialize in the purchase of particular materials or business services such as furniture or access rights.
• Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.

• Purchasing and inventory control workers (14403)
• Purchasing managers (10012)
• Retail and wholesale buyers (62101)