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Energy

Purchasing Agent

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

Annual openings

1,241

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

A bachelor's degree is valued by some employers.

Growth 2024–2034

+15%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

A bachelor's degree is valued by some employers.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Employer competency information

  • Feedback from employers identified the following competencies as being critical to success: Communication, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking, and Basic Computer Skills.
Salary/Demand information crosses multiple industries.
Are you a skilled negotiator? Can you spot a good product when you see it? Put your skills to work for you as a Purchasing Agent. You’ll spend your days looking for the best suppliers and vendors out there, negotiating deals and contracts that benefit your company most. This is a role where relationship building and communication skills are extremely important.
Basic IT/scripting skills that support the analysis of data are becoming increasingly important in the purchasing process.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

A typical day

  1. Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
  2. Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
  3. Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
  4. Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
  5. Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
  6. Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
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