Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Purchasing Agent
What purchasing agents actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review open purchase orders and late deliveries in the ERP system. From there, the day usually includes identify and evaluate suppliers, request quotes and proposals, and negotiate prices, terms and contracts. Most work full-time business hours, with occasional travel.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a purchasing agent working full time.
- Review open purchase orders and late deliveries in the ERP system.
- Request quotes from three suppliers for a new part.
- Negotiate a volume discount with a packaging vendor.
- Expedite a delayed shipment for the production line.
- Evaluate bids and recommend a supplier.
- Meet engineering on specifications for upcoming purchases.
- Update supplier scorecards.
Where purchasing agents work
Purchasing agents work in offices at manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, government agencies and other organizations. Some visit suppliers or trade shows.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time business hours, with occasional travel.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Identify and evaluate suppliers
- Request quotes and proposals
- Negotiate prices, terms and contracts
- Issue purchase orders
- Track orders and expedite deliveries
- Resolve quality and delivery issues
- Monitor spending and supplier performance
Tools you’ll use every day
- ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle
- E-procurement platforms
- Spreadsheets
- Supplier databases
- Contract management tools
- Email and video meetings
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Negotiation and problem-solving work
- Needed in every industry
- Good pay and advancement
- Remote and hybrid options
What’s hard
- Pressure when supply problems hit
- Balancing cost, quality and speed
- Detailed paperwork and rules
- Supplier disputes
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I enjoy negotiating deals
- I like comparing options and costs
- I’m organized with details
- I can build relationships with suppliers
- I stay calm when deliveries are late
- I want a business career in supply chain
Not sure? Take the free Purchasing Agent fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow ethics rules on gifts and conflicts of interest
- Protect confidential pricing data
- Verify suppliers to prevent fraud
- Follow procurement laws for public purchasing