Earn Your Living by Shopping!
Acquisitions and contract managers – also known as buyers or purchasing agents – basically shop for a living; they are responsible for finding and buying the goods and services that allow their companies to continue running. While there are many similarities between a buyer and a purchasing agent, there is a distinct difference – buyers procure goods that are headed for resale, while purchasing agents buy the good and services their own companies need, i.e. raw materials and office supplies.
If you become a purchasing professional, your first concern will be finding the best deals (the highest quality for the lowest price) for your company by considering sales records and inventory levels, targeting potential suppliers, and staying aware of changing supply and demand trends.
To work in this industry, you will need to have a good understanding of economics and know everything possible about the specifics of the buying surroundings.
Nearly half of all buyers and purchasing managers work in manufacturing and the wholesale trade; their primary focus is increasing the revenue of their companies as much as possible. If you become a purchasing manager for the federal government, a major employer across the country, you may buy anything from machinery to airline tickets; you may also specialize in supervising and negotiating supply contracts.
While you will likely work from the comfort of a nice office, your hours will probably fluctuate during conferences or sales and with approaching deadlines. You might also enjoy a few days of travel each month; those working for international companies often even travel abroad.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities will be best for those who have earned a degree in Acquisitions Contract Management. Online degree programs usually provide students with a wide variety of course curriculum including legal and financial classes, business law, and acquisitions and contract management methods. Although the BLS predicts that there won’t be any immediate change to employment of acquisitions and contract managers, obtaining your degree will likely give you a great advantage in the field.
As with any career path, the more specialized training you receive, the better your resume will stand out from others who seek the same positions. If you wish to advance even further, obtaining an online master’s degree as well as garnering as much experience as you can will help you meet your career goals.
Tue, Aug 10, 2010
Bachelor's Degree, Degrees, Master's Degree, Online Education