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What is Purchasing and Supply Management?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

Purchasing and supply management involves the procurement, storage, and monitoring of goods sold in a retail store, machinery, supplies, or other raw goods. The purchasing and supply manager is the person in charge of this division of this job, as well as in managing the other employees working in this section. For most businesses, specifically retailers, purchasing and supply management is one of the most important job descriptions in monitoring buyer behaviors and making sure top selling items are well-stocked.

In many cases, purchasing and supply management may involve negotiating with manufacturers or wholesalers in the process of buying goods or materials, as well as in working closely with cost analysts and marketing professionals in deciding which products to buy and which ones are not selling well enough for the costs. This process ensures that the company keeps better selling items in stock while passing on products that sit on store shelves collecting dust.

A purchasing and supply manager must stay up-to-date on consumer behavior and demands.
A purchasing and supply manager must stay up-to-date on consumer behavior and demands.

Inventory is also a big part of managing purchasing and supplies. At set intervals, inventory is taken at every warehouse or store, and those numbers are compared with how many of each unit was originally purchased. This gives managers and owners a way of gauging which items to purchase more of and which ones to scale back on.

The people in charge of purchasing and supply management must constantly research and learn consumer behaviors, as well as stay up-to-date on new and emerging products on the market. In order for a business to survive, it must offer the things consumers want to buy.

A purchasing and supply manager may be responsible for managing employees in the procurement and storage department of a retail store.
A purchasing and supply manager may be responsible for managing employees in the procurement and storage department of a retail store.

In many cases purchasing and supply management teams are made up of several key players. This team can include pricing analysts, market researchers and marketing personnel, managers over each of these departments, as well as store owners and supervisors. It is vitally important for each team member to compare notes and discuss buying and marketing strategies. In the case of retailers, they must also compare notes with the manufacturers or wholesalers purchasing team to get an idea of which items are being made and sold, and to whom.

A purchasing and supply manager is responsible for purchasing, storing, and monitoring a business's inventory.
A purchasing and supply manager is responsible for purchasing, storing, and monitoring a business's inventory.

The purchasing the supply management team must also come to buying agreements with suppliers of their products, about the prospect of returning merchandise should an item fail to sell. For example, many publishing companies allow book sellers to return any unsold copies within six months. This acts as some level of protection on a company’s investment. The purchasing and supply department must negotiate these terms before any inventory is paid for, as well as keep accurate records and inventory to comply with all agreement terms and conditions.

The purchasing and supply management team must come to buying agreements with suppliers of their products.
The purchasing and supply management team must come to buying agreements with suppliers of their products.

Since there are various job descriptions and responsibilities involved in purchasing and supply management, getting a job in this field may require one of several potential degrees, certificates, or experiences depending on which section one wishes to pursue.

Discussion Comments

anon1000254

I am a graduate who wants to study purchasing and supply and I will be starting this October. But I have no idea about it. I would appreciate someone helping me with this one. Thanks to those who will help me

anon341657

I am a new student who wants to study purchasing management.I am starting this July.

anon285105

It is great, guys. Kudos for the information. In fact, you are giving me a lot of hope because this is what I am working for right now. I will enroll in purchasing and supplies management as soon as possible. I hope I am going in the right direction.

anon283915

Procurement is becoming an area of specialization in Kenya and I am proud to be part of purchasing, especially the logistics part of it. Right now, I'm undergoing my internship and having a great time.

gsaratiel123

Purchasing is an interesting course and also an interesting career. I am working for a pharmaceutical company with the department stores and I am enjoying my time at this organization.

At the same time I am studying purchasing and supply with cips uk board. I am now going in the right direction.

anon243836

I am so eager to get into purchasing and supply. It's a great field of study and interesting to be one, be it a certified or chartered purchaser, it's all great. I am going to go for this one. Thank you all who care enough to read this.

anon213056

I am to start this course within no time. Where can I get good research on it, be it in the library or on the net.

widget2010

In some cases the purchasing and supply person also gets the final stay in things like inventory, which can add some great fun to your job.

For example, I have a friend who works in a toy store. He is the one who gets to pick all the merchandise, which means he is also able to travel to things like huge toy conventions, looking at different products and trying out new things before many consumers get to see them.

anon68535

what are the negotiating strategies that tend to be effective irrespective of cultural differences?

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    • A purchasing and supply manager must stay up-to-date on consumer behavior and demands.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A purchasing and supply manager must stay up-to-date on consumer behavior and demands.
    • A purchasing and supply manager may be responsible for managing employees in the procurement and storage department of a retail store.
      By: Monkey Business
      A purchasing and supply manager may be responsible for managing employees in the procurement and storage department of a retail store.
    • A purchasing and supply manager is responsible for purchasing, storing, and monitoring a business's inventory.
      By: bugphai
      A purchasing and supply manager is responsible for purchasing, storing, and monitoring a business's inventory.
    • The purchasing and supply management team must come to buying agreements with suppliers of their products.
      By: Monkey Business
      The purchasing and supply management team must come to buying agreements with suppliers of their products.
    • Purchasing and supply management often relies on vendors to produce and deliver items as needed.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Purchasing and supply management often relies on vendors to produce and deliver items as needed.