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JOB DESCRIPTION

Purchasing Manager

Role overview

The role of the Purchasing Director is to regularly anticipate all the needs of the company. He or she is responsible for defining a company's purchasing policy in line with the objectives to be achieved. Success in this job requires in-depth knowledge of logistics and production techniques.

A Purchasing Manager is constantly on the lookout for quality products at attractive prices on the market. He or she is responsible for relations between suppliers, production departments and sales departments. The role of the Purchasing Manager varies according to the importance attached to purchasing in the company's marketing strategy.

The Purchasing Manager deals with strategic issues in the contract negotiation phase and also supervises deliveries and orders for the company. He or she is also responsible for updating the company's supplies and stocks.

A Purchasing Manager may have a number of career options, including industrial production manager, technical director or sales director.

 

Alternative job titles

  • Procurement Manager
  • Sourcing Manager
  • Buyer Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Category Manager

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Missions principales

Main Responsibilities

The main function of a Purchasing Manager is to study the purchasing expectations of a business department and the sales teams. He or she is responsible for analysing all their issues before estimating the criticality of each risk, as well as reporting to the business divisions and general management.

A Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing his or her department, motivating each team to achieve the company's collective objectives. Depending on the company's needs, he or she may set up training programmes for specific professions.

A Purchasing and Supply Chain Director is responsible for steering a company's purchasing performance. In other words, they monitor budget trends and interpret costs. They monitor contracts with suppliers and act as arbitrator in the event of disputes.

In some large companies, a Purchasing Director may have additional responsibilities. Depending on their area of expertise, they may be responsible for managing a company's supply chain. Success in this role requires solid skills in organising physical flows in order to manage the company's stocks and supplies.

Competencies

 

  • Proficiency in different sales and negotiation strategies: to train their teams and carry out their multiple functions, managers need to be familiar with a number of sales techniques. They need to be good negotiators in order to conclude partnerships with different suppliers.
  • Good knowledge of purchasing management tools: to carry out all the work of a Purchasing Manager, you need a good knowledge of purchasing management solutions. Before applying for such a job, it is important to know how to handle e-sourcing and e-procurement tools.
  • Solid legal background: the job of Purchasing Director requires knowledge of commercial law. He is responsible for the operational and legal security of the company.
Missions principales

Education & Training

  • Masters in International Purchasing Management
  • Diploma in business, economics and management
  • Higher education in purchasing
  • Diploma from a business school or general engineering school
  • Training in international purchasing management at a professional buyers' college

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