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Purchasing Manager
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Type of Work:
Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents seek to obtain the
highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible purchase cost for their
employers. In general, purchasers buy goods and services for their
company or organization, whereas buyers typically buy items for
resale. Purchasers and buyers determine which commodities or services are
best, choose the suppliers of the product or service, negotiate the lowest
price, and award contracts that ensure that the correct amount of the
product or service is received at the appropriate time.
Primary Job Functions:
In
order to accomplish these tasks successfully, purchasing managers, buyers,
and purchasing agents study sales records and inventory levels of current
stock, identify foreign and domestic suppliers, and keep abreast of
changes affecting both the supply of and demand for needed products and
materials.
Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents evaluate suppliers
based upon price, quality, service support, availability, reliability, and
selection. To assist them in their search, they review catalogs, industry
and company publications, directories, and trade journals. Much of this
information is now available on the Internet. They research the reputation
and history of the suppliers and may advertise anticipated purchase
actions in order to solicit bids. At meetings, trade shows, conferences,
and suppliers' plants and distribution centers, they examine products and
services, assess a supplier's production and distribution capabilities,
and discuss other technical and business considerations that influence the
purchasing decision. Once all the necessary information on suppliers is
gathered, orders are placed and contracts are awarded to those suppliers
who meet the purchasers' needs. Contracts often are for several years and
may stipulate the price or a narrow range of prices, allowing purchasers
to reorder as necessary. Other specific job duties and responsibilities
vary by employer and by the type of commodities or services to be
purchased.
Tools
Used:
Computers
continue to have a major effect on the jobs of purchasing managers,
buyers, and purchasing agents. In manufacturing and service industries,
computers handle most of the routine tasks, enabling purchasing workers to
concentrate mainly on the analytical and qualitative aspects of the job.
Computers are used to obtain instant and accurate product and price
listings, to track inventory levels, to process orders, and to help
determine when to make purchases. Computers also maintain lists of bids
and offers, record the history of supplier performance, and issue purchase
orders.
Starting
Wage: $
38,000
Senior
Wage:
$
93,000
Job
Growth Outlook:
Overall employment is
expected to experience little or no change due to productivity
improvements brought about by the increasing use of computers and the
Internet; however, employment will vary by occupational specialty.
Degree
Needed:
Some firms
promote qualified employees to these positions, while other employers
recruit college graduates; regardless of academic preparation, new
employees must learn the specifics of their employers' business.
Many manufacturing firms put a greater emphasis on formal training. They
prefer applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering,
business, economics, or one of the applied sciences.
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Industrial Production Manager
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Industrial
production managers coordinate the resources and activities required to
produce millions of goods every year in the United States.
Type of
Work:
The primary mission of industrial production managers is planning the
production schedule within budgetary limitations and time constraints.
They do this by analyzing the plant's personnel and capital resources to
select the best way of meeting the production quota. Industrial production
managers determine, often using mathematical formulas, which machines will
be used, whether new machines need to be purchased, whether overtime or
extra shifts are necessary, and what the sequence of production will be.
They monitor the production run to make sure that it stays on schedule and
correct any problems that may arise.
Industrial production managers also must monitor product standards. When
quality drops below the established standard, they must determine why
standards are not being maintained and how to improve the product. If the
problem relates to the quality of work performed in the plant, the manager
may implement better training programs, reorganize the manufacturing
process, or institute employee suggestion or involvement programs. If the
cause is substandard materials, the manager works with the purchasing
department to improve the quality of the product's components.
Because the work of many departments is interrelated, managers work
closely with heads of other departments such as sales, procurement, and
logistics to plan and implement company goals, policies, and procedures.
For example, the production manager works with the procurement department
to ensure that plant inventories are maintained at their optimal level.
This is vital to a firm's operation because maintaining the inventory of
materials necessary for production ties up the firm's financial resources,
yet insufficient quantities cause delays in production. A breakdown in
communications between the production manager and the purchasing
department can cause slowdowns and a failure to meet production schedules.
Just-in-time production techniques have reduced inventory levels, making
constant communication among the manager, suppliers, and purchasing
departments even more important. Computers play an integral part in this
coordination. They also are used to provide up-to-date information on
inventory, the status of work in progress, and quality standards.
Production
managers usually report to the plant manager or the vice president for
manufacturing, and may act as liaison between executives and first-line
supervisors. Industrial production managers with a proven record of
superior performance may advance to plant manager or vice president for
manufacturing.
Tools
Used:
Computer
Primary
Job Functions:
Production scheduling,
staffing, procurement and maintenance of equipment, quality control,
inventory control, and the coordination of production activities with
those of other departments.
Starting Wage:
$35,000-$46,000
Senior Wage: $74,000-$106,000
Job Growth
Outlook:
3-9%
Projected slower-than-average growth in employment reflects increasing
productivity. Although manufacturing output is projected to rise, growing
productivity among industrial production managers and the workers they
supervise will limit growth in employment of these managers. Productivity
gains will stem from the increasing use of computers for scheduling,
planning, and coordination.
Degree Needed:
Applicants with a college degree in industrial engineering, management, or
business administration, and particularly those with an undergraduate
engineering degree and a master's degree in business administration or
industrial management, enjoy the best job prospects.
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Receiving and Stockroom
Attendant
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Type of
Work:
Locates,
obtains, and issues; receives, checks, and returns to stock all types of
purchased parts and components; maintains required records and operates
material handling vehicles as required.
Tools
Used:
Parts, bins, shelves,
and racks, rolling parts containers, ordinary measuring tools, letter
imprinter, scales, hand truck, Cushman truck, forklift truck.
Primary
Job Functions:
-
Uses judgment and
past experience to determine whether item(s) in short supply which have
been requested should be issued or held in anticipation of a higher
priority request for said item(s) and aids in the selection of suitable
substitutes.
-
Uses printed bills of materials to locate and
gather parts and components required for the final assembly of
all machines
Job Titles:
-
Steel Handler
-
Dispatcher/Expediter
-
Forklift
Operator
-
Material
Handler
Starting Wage: $
16,000
Senior Wage: $
39,000
Job Growth
Outlook:
Slower than average 3%
Degree Needed:
High School Entry Level
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Receiving and Stockroom Attendant
Production Clerks
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Supervise the flow of
work and materials in a business.
Type of
Work:
Production,
planning, and expediting clerks coordinate and expedite the flow of
information, work, and materials within or among offices. Most of their
work is done according to production, work, or shipment schedules. The
schedules are reviewed and distributed after being considered by
supervisors who determine work progress and completion dates. Production,
planning, and expediting clerks compile reports on progress of work and
production problems. They also may schedule workers, estimate costs,
schedule shipment of parts, keep inventory of materials, inspect and
assemble materials, and write special orders for services and merchandise.
In addition, they may assumes the responsibility of running reports
routing lists of parts needed for customer orders, notifying purchasing
when more parts need to be ordered, filing inventory discrepancies and
communicating production progress with other departments. This ensures
that production quotas are met and that merchandise is delivered on the
date promised.
Tools
Used:
Computer and
other office equipment.
Primary
Job Functions:
Production and
planning clerks compile records and reports on various aspects of
production, such as materials and parts used, products produced, machine
and instrument readings, and frequency of defects. They prepare and
distribute work tickets or other production guides to workers. They
coordinate, schedule, monitor, and chart production and its progress,
either manually or using electronic equipment. Production and planning
clerks also gather information from customer orders or other
specifications to prepare a detailed production sheet that serves as a
guide in assembly or manufacture of the product.
Job Skills:
-
Mature individual with the ability to work in a busy environment and
maintain a professional manner when dealing with difficult situations.
-
Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks at one time.
-
Must demonstrate proficient customer service skills.
-
Have communication and organization skills.
Starting Wage: $
20,000
Senior Wage: $
28,000
Job Growth
Outlook:
As
increasing pressure is put on companies to get things produced and
delivered more quickly and efficiently, the need for production, planning,
and expediting clerks will grow.
Degree Needed:
High
School/Entry Level
*At least 1 year of working
experience in the related field is required for this position.
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and Occupational trends for this career or a career very similar.
Sales Representative
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Securing an assigned
amount of profitable business for the company through proper planning,
adequate territorial coverage, effective sales presentations and thorough
administration.
Type of Work:
The Sales
Representative is a visible individual at the distributorship. He or she
spends the majority of time in the field with the customers. These
individuals require excellent communication, customer service and
organizational skills.
In
addition to knowing how to complete a sale, the sales rep. must also have
a strong knowledge of the equipment in the distributor’s product line.
They must know operating specifications and be able to operate the
equipment for customer demonstrations. A company’s image rides on the
backs of their professionalism.
A
good one also promotes the company’s other departments like parts and
service. In the construction distribution industry, sales representatives
can have very long and successful careers. Many of them move up into sales
management and senior level positions.
Tools Used:
Computer, Cell Phone
Primary Job
Functions:
-
Secures orders,
conducts surveys of assigned territory, studies product population,
locates new prospects and determines prospect’s needs, plans sales
calls, makes presentations, points out the benefits of the equipment and
emphasizes the advantage of dealing with the company.
-
Helps customers solve
problems, provides technical assistance as needed, assists in making job
estimates, keeps customers up to date on new equipment and company
developments.
-
Keeps informed on new
contracts and opportunities.
-
Maintains a system
for keeping literature, brochures, price sheets, etc., neat and up to
date.
-
Maintains records of
sales calls and makes reports as required.
-
Works according to
the sales department plan.
-
Controls travel,
telephone and entertainment expenses.
-
Maintains required
communications and keeps customers informed.
-
Maintains a high
degree of sales professionalism.
-
Sees that equipment
is correctly delivered and meets all of the conditions of the sales
contract.
Job Skills:
-
Strong business and
financial sense.
-
Strong
organizational, communication, employee relations and customer service
skills.
-
Working knowledge of
computer software and company information systems.
-
Promote and maintain
good customer relations at all times.
Wage:
$35,000.00 and Up
*Salary is affected by sales performance and commission structure for each
individual Representative
Job Growth Outlook:
6%
Degree Needed:
Bachelor’s degree in a business field or equivalent experience.
Sales experience.
More Career Info:
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will be able to find Wage and Occupational trends for this career or a
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Sales Representative
Sales Manager
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Direct the marketing
and sales of products, equipment and services.
Type of
Work:
Responsible for making
sure that the sale of the products handled is profitable. He or she
designates fair areas (territories) for the representatives to sell in.
The manager also makes sure that department employees are educated on all
aspects of the company’s product lines, and are trained in the proper and
professional ways. The manager also approves the sales deals and any
warranty or maintenance programs that are part of them.
Tools Used:
Office
Equipment
Primary Job
Function:
-
Develop and maintain
a staff to provide for efficient and profitable sales.
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Develop annual plan and budget for sales department to include sales
goals for the department and each sales representative, sales expense
estimates and advertising programs.
- Makes
sure that all authorized sales plans and programs are carried out.
- Works
with sales representatives in the field to develop maximum selling
effort.
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Continuously reviews pricing, distribution, competition and policies.
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Initiates necessary action to insure proper technical and service
department support for the sales department; coordinates warranty
expense programs with service manager.
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Organize and conduct training programs and meetings, or arranges for
such activities to be performed by qualified personnel.
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Determine maximum allowance on trade-ins (jointly with General Manager,
as appropriate, and insures the target gross and net operating profits
are met.
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Recommend addition of new product lines or changes the current lines.
-
Promotes the sales of parts and service.
-
Periodically evaluate each sales representative’s performance and makes
recommendations with regard to sales representative’s compensation.
-
Maintain proper records, submit necessary reports, check customer credit
status and control expenditures.
Job Skills:
-
Strong
organizational, communication, employee relations and customer service
skills
-
Working knowledge of
standard computer software and all company information systems
-
Promotes customer
Service excellence among all sales representatives.
Job
Titles:
Account
Manager
Wage:
$45,000 and Up
Job Growth
Outlook:
6%
Degree Needed:
College/Bachelors degree in a
business field, or equivalent experience, in sales management.
More Career
Info:
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Info Net. You will be able to find Wage and Occupational trends for
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Sales Manager
Vice President / General Manager
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Second in command. They
are also responsible for the daily operation of the company but has a more
active role in working with individual departments
Type of
Work:
Responsible for
the daily operation of the company by advising and directing the course,
growth, policies and relations of the company as a whole. Makes
recommendations to the president with respect to operations
Tools Used:
Office
Equipment
Primary Job Functions:
-
Develops and directs
overall company objectives, programs, projects, policies, organization,
personnel, plans, budgets, controls and performance.
-
Reviews these areas
with department managers as necessary.
-
Continuously
evaluates the effectiveness of subordinate personnel performance.
-
Determines
requirements for all training services and employee relations.
-
Facilitates the
exchange of information on products, services, field activities,
programs, and promotes those most effective for company operations.
-
Orders the
preparation of reports on company performance in all areas and advises
the President of needed changes.
-
Represents and
promotes the company with customers, governmental agencies, suppliers
and the general public
-
Evaluates and
approves estimates, quotations, bids and proposals.
-
Schedules assignments
or operations in adequate detail and sufficiently in advance so that
subordinate personnel can plan and schedule their own work properly.
Job Skills:
-
Experience in the
industry working
-
Strong business and
financial instincts
-
Strong
organizational, communication, employee relations and customer service
skills
Wage:
Salary Range:
$90,000 & Up - Plus Bonuses
Job Growth
Outlook: Average
Degree
Needed:
Bachelor’s
degree in a business field or equivalent experience and
Sales experience.
More
Career Info:
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able to find Wage and Occupational trends for this career or a career very
similar:
General Manager
President / CEO
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The President and or
Chief Executive Officer is the overall head of an organization.
Type of
Work:
Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the entire business. May also
own the company. Establishes a pattern for growth, and has the
responsibility for carrying out all orders and resolutions of the Board of
Directors (if one exists). As principal executive officer,
represents the company to the public, other industries and all fields in
which the company operates
Tools
Used:
Office
Equipment
Primary Job Functions:
-
Overall management
and supervision of the entire company
-
Develops the annual
operating plan and budget for the entire company.
-
Responsible for
financial health of company.
-
Directs and generally
supervises all of the company’s activities.
-
Supervises immediate
subordinates.
-
Directs that reports
be prepared indicating the progress of the company and its branches,
sales performance, company profits, investment and growth.
-
Promotes the company
-
Takes action to
correct unsatisfactory conditions that may arise in any phase of the
company.
-
Encourages good
communication with employees, vendors, customers and the public at
large.
-
Presides at meetings
of the Board of Directors
Job Skills:
-
Sales experience.
-
Experience in a given
industry.
-
Strong business and
financial instincts.
-
Strong
organizational, communication, employee relations and customer service
skills.
-
Working knowledge of
standard computer software and all company information systems.
Wage:
Salary Range: $100,000.00 & Up - Plus Bonuses
Job Growth
Outlook: Average
Degree Needed:
Bachelor’s degree in a business field or equivalent experience.
More Career
Info: The following link will take you to
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You will be able to find Wage and Occupational trends for this career or a
career very similar.
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