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NOC 2016 Version 1.3

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1225 – Purchasing agents and officers

Purchasing agents and officers purchase general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights and business services for use or for further processing by their establishment. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

Profile

Example titles

  • Contract management officer
  • Contracts officer
  • Energy asset surface land analyst
  • Furniture and furnishings purchaser
  • Government supply officer
  • Material management officer
  • Procurement officer
  • Purchasing agent

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Purchase general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights, or business services 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.

Purchasing agents and officers may specialize in the purchase of particular materials or business services such as furniture or office equipment.

Employment requirements

  • A bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics is usually required.
  • 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.

Additional information

  • Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.

Exclusions

  • Purchasing and inventory control workers (1524)
  • Purchasing managers (0113)
  • Retail and wholesale buyers (6222)

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category
1 – Business, finance and administration occupations
Skill level
B – Occupations usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training.
Major group
12 – Administrative and financial supervisors and administrative occupations
Minor group
122 – Administrative and regulatory occupations
Associated Career Handbook profiles
1225.0 – Purchasing agents and officers
Version
NOC 2016 Version 1.3
Date modified: