Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.

Perform buying duties when necessary.

Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.

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

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

Approve and pay bills.

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

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

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

Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.

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