Occupation · SOC 43-3061
Procurement Clerks
Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.
Median wage
$48,510
$36,810–$65,890
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
59,900
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
88 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningService OrientationCoordinationTime ManagementMathematicsPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingScienceRepairingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
English LanguageAdministrativeCustomer and Personal ServiceEconomics and AccountingAdministration and ManagementMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsTransportationPublic Safety and SecurityProduction and ProcessingEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentPersonnel and Human ResourcesEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalGeographyChemistrySales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyBuilding and ConstructionPsychologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyDesignBiologyMedicine and DentistryPhysicsForeign LanguageFine ArtsFood ProductionHistory and Archeology
Technology & tools
AutotaskElectronic data interchange EDI softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareIBM Maximo Asset ManagementIntuit QuickBooksInventory tracking softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle DatabaseOracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneOracle PeopleSoftRadiant Systems CounterPointSAP Business ObjectsSAP softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing softwareWork scheduling software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationProcessing InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming Administrative ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing Data or InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkScheduling Work and ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAssisting and Caring for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesHandling and Moving ObjectsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesStaffing Organizational UnitsDeveloping and Building TeamsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Purchase order forms — complete and submit under direct supervision in a standard office procurement environment.Requisition status records — track and update daily using an ERP system with guidance from a senior clerk.Supplier copies of purchase orders — distribute accurately to vendors and originating departments following established procedures.Basic invoice amounts — calculate and verify against order totals using a spreadsheet template in an office setting.Inventory quantity reports — review and flag low-stock items for supervisor review using inventory management software.Bid comparison worksheets — compile price, specification, and delivery data from supplier quotes under close supervision.Organizational purchasing rules — locate and reference from provided documentation when responding to routine staff inquiries.Incoming bills — route to appropriate accounts by following a standard chart of accounts with supervisor guidance.Email correspondence with suppliers — draft straightforward order-related messages using approved office suite software templates.Procurement data entries — input order and contract information accurately into database systems under direct oversight.
developing
Requisition, contract, and order status — monitor and maintain using ERP software with minimal supervision in a busy procurement office.Purchase orders — prepare and issue independently, ensuring copies reach suppliers and requesting departments on schedule.Invoice charges and account allocations — calculate and forward to appropriate accounts routinely, resolving minor discrepancies without escalation.Supplier bids — compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to recommend the best option to purchasing management.Inventory levels — assess sufficiency against current demand and initiate reorder requests when stock falls below threshold.Routine buying duties — perform independently when assigned, selecting vendors and placing orders within approved spending limits.Staff inquiries about purchasing regulations — address accurately and promptly by drawing on working knowledge of organizational and governmental rules.Bill approval and payment processing — execute for standard transactions using accounting software following department authorization procedures.Procurement records — maintain organized and current in document management software to support audits and reporting needs.Supplier relationships — manage day-to-day communications courteously and professionally via email and phone to ensure order accuracy.
proficient
Complex requisition and contract status issues — resolve autonomously by coordinating across departments and suppliers in a high-volume procurement environment.Non-routine purchasing tasks — execute independently, including sourcing new vendors and negotiating terms within delegated authority.Multi-line purchase orders for diverse commodity categories — prepare with full accuracy, applying knowledge of specifications, lead times, and compliance requirements.Cost analysis across multiple orders and accounts — perform and reconcile, identifying billing errors and recommending corrective accounting adjustments.Competitive bid evaluations — conduct thoroughly, weighing total cost of ownership, delivery reliability, and specification compliance to support final award decisions.Organizational and governmental procurement regulations — interpret and apply to complex purchase scenarios, advising staff and vendors on compliance obligations.Critical inventory shortfalls — identify proactively through trend monitoring and coordinate urgent replenishment to prevent operational disruptions.Accounts payable exceptions and disputed invoices — investigate and resolve by collaborating with suppliers and internal finance teams.Procurement reporting — generate and analyze using ERP and spreadsheet software to surface spending patterns and efficiency opportunities.Cross-functional coordination — lead procurement-related communication among requesting departments, finance, and suppliers to keep orders on track.
advanced
Departmental procurement procedures — design, document, and implement to standardize best practices across the entire administrative support team.Organizational purchasing policies — review, update, and communicate changes to staff and vendors, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements.Procurement staff — mentor and train in ERP systems, regulatory rules, and supplier negotiation techniques to build team capability.Supplier performance standards — establish and monitor through structured evaluation processes, driving continuous improvement in cost, quality, and delivery.Enterprise-wide spending data — analyze using integrated ERP and analytics tools to identify consolidation opportunities and present recommendations to leadership.Procurement technology upgrades — lead evaluation, selection, and rollout of new ERP modules, inventory systems, or e-procurement tools across the organization.Annual purchasing budgets — contribute to planning and oversight by providing detailed cost forecasts and variance analyses to management.Vendor contract frameworks — oversee development of standard terms and conditions, ensuring alignment with legal, financial, and operational requirements.Cross-departmental procurement committees — chair or facilitate to align purchasing strategies with organizational goals and resolve escalated supply issues.Compliance audit preparation — direct collection, organization, and presentation of procurement documentation to internal auditors and regulatory bodies.
Also known as
26 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
BuyerDepartmental BuyerExpeditorFilm Replacement OrdererProcurement AgentProcurement AnalystProcurement AssistantProcurement ClerkProcurement CoordinatorProcurement OfficerProcurement RepresentativeProcurement SpecialistProcurement TechnicianPurchaserPurchasing Administrative AssistantPurchasing Administrator Assistant (Purchasing Admin Assistant)Purchasing AnalystPurchasing AssistantPurchasing AssociatePurchasing ClerkPurchasing CoordinatorPurchasing Department ClerkPurchasing ExpeditorPurchasing SpecialistSupply CoordinatorWarehouse Clerk