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11-3061.00 · Task explorer

Purchasing Managers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

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This source lists 18 tasks, including 18 marked Core and 0 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2023.

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18 tasks shown

Core · Task 1027 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.

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Core · Task 1021 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.

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Core · Task 1033 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.

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Core · Task 1032 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.

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Core · Task 1025 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.

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Core · Task 1031 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.

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Core · Task 1035 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Administer online purchasing systems.

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Core · Task 1022 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.

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Core · Task 1024 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.

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Core · Task 21039 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.

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Core · Task 1023 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Control purchasing department budgets.

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Core · Task 1029 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Resolve vendor or contractor grievances and claims against suppliers.

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Core · Task 1026 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability.

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Core · Task 1028 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products, or substitute materials.

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Core · Task 1020 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Maintain records of goods ordered and received.

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Core · Task 1030 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.

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Core · Task 1034 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs.

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Core · Task 1036 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Arrange for disposal of surplus materials.

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Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.