It’s your first day on the job. Your new boss takes you around and introduces you to the rest of the team.
You’re not sure how you got here, but the sign on your office says, “Purchasing Agent” and now you’ve got to perform.
Your business degree didn’t prepare you for this-but the money’s good, and you have a title.
Your job description mentions something about inventory. The last time you did inventory was when you worked at that burger joint. Does that count?
You checked off a bunch of skills on your application, but you’re feeling a little sick.
Negotiating isn’t really in your wheelhouse, and apparently, it’s a requirement.
So, what do you do now?
Don’t sweat it! We’ve come up with a few tips for industrial purchasing agents.
Enhance Computer Skills
A purchasing agent uses computer skills for every aspect of their job.
You roll your eyes and say, “that’s a no-brainer,” but what software skills did you bring to the table when you applied for your current position?
Consider a few ways you use data in your job.
You collect, analyze, and summarize data and trends. Your findings help track and budget expenses. They’re used as a tool for purchase planning.
Spreadsheets bring data from multiple sources and consolidate information in a single location. Using spreadsheets helps identify trends–an essential part of your job.
Your job means you deal not just with sourcing parts for heavy machinery. You’ll also handle sourcing service providers. Spreadsheets keep all parts of your job organized in a central place, which makes you work more efficiently.
In addition to spreadsheet skills, knowing your way around a word processing program will make life on the easier.
Refine Research Skills
Another tip designed to make an industrial purchasing agent more successful focuses on something many people have a love/hate relationship with research.
Put aside the unpleasant memories of college writing assignments and refine your research skills.
You spend a considerable amount of time reviewing sales and inventory records. That’s research!
But what about researching the history of your industry?
Figure out what industries your customers are in and spend time researching those as well. It might help you make better purchasing decisions when you also understand your own end users.
How much time do you invest in evaluating current and potential suppliers? You make decisions about your suppliers based on more than just their prices.
Those decisions come from researching:
- Quality of products
- Selection
- Service and support
- Production and distribution capabilities
- Reputation and history.
You must find the most cost-effective products and sources. If you have poor research skills or tell yourself you hate research, it’s time for a change in mindset.
Sharpen Communication Skills
Good relationships with suppliers are a critical aspect of a purchasing buyer’s job. Vendors can make your life difficult by delaying orders. Or they can efficiently manage your last-minute requests for supplies and services.
Your strong people skills will help you develop strong relationships not only with vendors but with your own team members.
People who can communicate effectively are usually also great at building rapport.
When you build rapport with your external and internal team members your earn the reputation of a person who gets things done. That may sound simplistic, but it comes in handy when you want a raise or promotion.
Perfect Your Negotiation Skills
In the world of the industrial purchasing agent, poor negotiation skills can result in lost profits for your organization. It can also mean missed opportunities and promotions for you personally.
You must perfect your negotiation skills so you can come to the table confidently and decisively.
There’s no room for the timid mouse who asks for better pricing and terms.
A good negotiator demands the best rates and conditions for the business. Confidence is what drives an effective negotiation.
Your negotiation skills are a critical part of your organization’s overall profitability. If you implement a few negotiation tips and tricks so that you can source materials, goods, and services at a low cost, it shows your organization you’re a worthwhile investment.
If you haven’t spent time on your negotiation skills, consider taking an online course.
Ask your employer if they would consider covering the costs. Despite what we said earlier about timid mice, this is not a situation where you should make demands.
Develop Foreign Language Skills
English is the native language of the United States.
Nothing new about that but are there any other countries in the world where English is the primary language spoken?
So, you took Spanish, German, or French way back in high school, right?
Can you have a conversation today in the language you studied in high school or college?
The ability to speak a foreign language enables a purchasing agent to buy products from around the globe. When you can communicate in a foreign language rapport building is easier.
Imagine negotiating prices in your vendor’s language. First, there’s less chance of misunderstanding. Second, the relationship becomes a partnership rather than one of vendor and buyer.
Everyone involved in your business, including your customers benefit from working with people across the globe. If it weren’t for global business, we’d miss out on a whole world of excellent supplies and services.
Learning a foreign language doesn’t mean you need to go back to school. A quick online search will return a wide range of language learning tools, including apps for your phone.
Be the Best Purchasing Agent
Enough can’t be said about striving for excellence, and that’s especially true for you if you work as a purchasing agent. You’re one of the major players in your company’s profitability.
We hope you got something out of reading our tips.
If you’re interested in researching us and the ways we can help you source industrial machinery parts, contact us today. We’d love to help!