Job description template

Purchasing Agent Job Description Template

A copy-ready purchasing agent job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows purchasing agents earn a median of $77,710 ($37.36/hour); the middle 50% earn $60,800–$100,820.

Job title

Purchasing Agent

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable purchasing agent to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will identify and evaluate suppliers, request quotes and proposals and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • 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
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Working knowledge of supplier sourcing and negotiation
  • Negotiation and communication
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
  • Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
  • ASCM CSCP
  • Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle

Skills

  • ERP purchasing
  • Contract basics
  • Cost analysis
  • Inventory planning
  • Analytical thinking
  • Relationship building

Work environment and schedule

Purchasing agents work in offices at manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, government agencies and other organizations. Some visit suppliers or trade shows. Most work full-time business hours, with occasional travel.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a purchasing agent job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Purchasing Agent” is the clearest; alternates include Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Specialist.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a purchasing agent so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Purchasing Agent training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Purchasing Agent hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing