Purchasing managers try to buy goods and services at the best possible prices.

Purchasing managers buy goods and services for their company. They decide what goods, services, and suppliers to use. They negotiate the lowest price and set up contracts.

Purchasing managers study sales records for their company and keep track of current stock. They review trade journals, catalogs, and websites. They identify US and foreign suppliers of the goods they need. They evaluate suppliers based on factors such as:

• Price
• Quality
• Service

Managers stay informed of changes that may affect supply and demand in their industry. They may create reports of market conditions or other data from their research.

Purchasing managers examine goods and talk to suppliers. They visit suppliers' plants or sales centers and assess a supplier's ability to deliver quality goods on time. Managers set up contracts and place orders. They review purchase orders and contracts to be sure that suppliers keep their commitments.

Purchasing managers often work with other employees in their company to decide on purchases. They may discuss the design of products with design engineers. They may discuss quality with quality assurance engineers.

Purchasing managers who work in government award contracts for a wide range of items. They follow strict laws that apply to government contracts. These laws sometimes change, so managers must stay informed.

Managers use computers to get product and price listings. They track inventory and process simple orders. They keep records of bids and offers, and track the performance of suppliers.