Buyers, Purchasing Managers and the Like

[Almantas]

Hi guys,

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am thinking of switching from a Full Time Semipreneur (lol) to Part Time Semipreneur due to many reasons.

Anyway, my background is in recruitment/hospitality and am currently thinking of switching my career to Buyer/Purchasing Manager. Based on career tests, psychological examinations and my research this is the career that matches my interests and abilities best.

If you've ever made similar career decision or are currently employed as either Buyer or a Purchasing Agent/Manager, please drop some career advice or if you can send me a private message.

Thanks in advance.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Azure]

Not a buyer myself, however I do work very closely with many of them in the food and paper products sector.

Build out processes that allow you to effectively manage your product. This may sound like a no brainer, but you have no idea how many people F*ck this up very badly. This is particularly true for perishable items. This will put you ahead of most of the pack in terms of most of these guys.

I can give you specific examples of their failures if you would like. My biggest advice is to examine the whole supply chain down through to distribution, a lot of what buyers can do(but do not often) is related to the ability to streamline the supply chain.

My advice may be a bit biased, as almost all the companies I deal with are family owned(mostly Italian), and tend to hire based on family ties, rather than actual ability. I may just be a bit jaded. Some of these companies are very large(2 mil a day sales) yet still woefully poorly managed.