Job Role Description

Finance > Purchasing Clerk

Salary National Average

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43340.0000 49870.0000 58180.0000

Change from Previous Year:

+2%

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Candidate Supply: 2,924 Job Openings: 21,562

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Short Description:

Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and departments originating requests. Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient, ordering more materials when necessary. Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations. Perform buying duties when required. Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems. Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders. Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and departments originating requests.
  • Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
  • Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
  • Perform buying duties when necessary.
  • Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
  • Review requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
  • Prepare, maintain, and review purchasing files, reports, and price lists.
  • Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
  • Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
  • Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including customer needs assessment, meeting service quality standards, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
  • English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics: Knowledge of basic arithmetic
  • Administration and Management: Knowledge of fundamental business principles involved in resource allocation, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of essential Windows Microsoft Office Software, including Word, Excel, and Outlook

Job Zones

 

  • Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Related Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. 
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Job Zone Examples: These occupations usually involve communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: (6.0 to < 7.0)

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