Purchasing Job Key Terms

Find your place by understanding purchasing job key terms

People who work in purchasing jobs usually buy some type of products or goods from a wholesale manufacturer. As in many industries, there are levels of employment when it comes to purchasing jobs. The type of job you qualify for may be an entry-level job, or you might have the skills needed to work in upper management. When you understand purchasing job key terms, you'll not only be able to identify the type of job you can get, you'll also know who you need to talk to when it comes to issues such as overseas purchasing.

Junior buyer

A junior buyer position can be an entry-level job opening. Usually, a junior buyer assists a purchasing manager.

Senior buyer

A senior buyer has more responsibility than a junior buyer. In this position, an employee may research and solicit new accounts instead of simply acting as an assistant. Depending on the company, a senior buyer may have some management responsibilities, but those won't be the same as a purchasing manager's.
City of Phoenix offers job specifications for senior buyers.

Account manager

An account manager usually has one prime account for which he or she is responsible. In some cases, an account manager may handle a specific category of purchasing, such as clothing or accessories.

Purchasing agent

A purchasing agent may have the same responsibilities as a junior buyer, depending on the company. A purchasing agent typically doesn't have any management responsibility.

Purchasing manager

A purchasing manager can oversee other employees, or he or she may be responsible for handling the bulk of buying. In some cases, a purchasing manager may actively search for new accounts or identify the latest trends.

Acquisitions sales manager

Generally an acquisitions sales manager has worked in the purchasing industry for five to 10 years. Usually, this person has an assigned territory that they oversee.