Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

The Work

A Purchasing Officer in the manufacturing industry is likely to report to the Materials Manager, but organisational structures vary between individual firms and business sectors.  
 
Purchasing work requires the establishment of requirements of goods and services with those who will be responsible for using them, seeking or selecting sources of supply, negotiating contracts and planning deliveries. This is all done while ensuring that the quality is as required, that the delivery is made when and where it is wanted and that the price represents, in the long run, the lowest obtainable cost to the organisation. This must be achieved in accordance with the law and with recognised ethical standards, avoiding all conflicts between the company's interest and that of the buyer personally.  
 
Most of the money that the average company gets by selling its products is spent again in buying the goods and services needed to continue in business. Since so much money is spent on goods and services, the way this expenditure is managed has a big effect on profits or losses and thus on the organisation's future, hence the critical nature of the Purchasing Officer's job.  
 
For school-leavers, the work might at first be in checking on order deliveries, making enquiries on suppliers and transport-providers or helping to develop forecasts of requirements. If there is a procedures manual in the purchasing department, it should be studied and it will be important to understand how supply work relates to other activities in the Organisation. Keyboard skills will need to be developed for using a computerised Supply Information System.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
• Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.
• Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
• Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
• Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
• Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
• Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
• Control purchasing department budgets.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering technology, Engineering operations, Business, Logistics & Distribution, and Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Logistics & Distribution, Purchasing, Supply Chain & Logistics, Purchasing & Procurement at NFQ Level 5 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Engineering, Logistics & supply, Lean Sigma management Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-10 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Design, Quantity surveying, Logistics & Supply Chain Management  NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Retail Management , Marketing & Retail Innovation, Procurement & Supply courses at NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €110k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / Clark/ Lincoln/ Morgan McKinley/ Azon/ Excel/ Osborne

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment numbers in this occupation have grown strongly since 2020, with an additional 8,300 persons employed. Employment permits were issued across a number of managerial roles in manufacturing.

Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills data point to issues in sourcing production managers, often with mechanical engineering, GMP, health & safety, and project management (including Lean processes) skills. Issues in relation to sourcing candidates with specific skills sets and industry experience have been identified and may result in future shortages if employment continues to rise.

• Supply Chain Management Institute (IPICS)

  • 6E, KCR Estate, Kimmage, Dublin 12
  • 01 9023729
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here