Procurement Clerks job and career information

Career:
Procurement Clerk

Job Description: Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

Is Procurement Clerk the right career path for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it fits one of your top recommended majors!

What Procurement Clerks do:

Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
Perform buying duties when necessary.
Contact suppliers in order to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.

Review requisition orders in order to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.

Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.

Prepare, maintain, and review purchasing files, reports and price lists.

Compare suppliers' bills with bids and purchase orders in order to verify accuracy.

Locate suppliers, using sources such as catalogs and the internet, and interview them to gather information about products to be ordered.

Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.

Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates in order to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.

Check shipments when they arrive to ensure that orders have been filled correctly and that goods meet specifications.

Approve bills for payment.

Maintain knowledge of all organizational and governmental rules affecting purchases, and provide information about these rules to organization staff members and to vendors.

Monitor in-house inventory movement and complete inventory transfer forms for bookkeeping purposes.

Prepare invitation-of-bid forms, and mail forms to supplier firms or distribute forms for public posting.

Monitor contractor performance, recommending contract modifications when necessary.

Share:

What work activities does a Procurement Clerk do?

Importance		Activities
		Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

		Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
		Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
		Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.