# Tasks & work activities — costume buyer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 43-3061.00 (Procurement Clerks).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Approve and pay bills.
- **[Core]** Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.
- **[Core]** Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
- **[Core]** Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
- **[Core]** Perform buying duties when necessary.
- **[Core]** Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
- **[Core]** Review requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
- **[Core]** Prepare, maintain, and review purchasing files, reports and price lists.
- **[Core]** Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
- **[Core]** Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
- **[Core]** Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.
- **[Core]** Check shipments when they arrive to ensure that orders have been filled correctly and that goods meet specifications.
- **[Core]** Compare suppliers' bills with bids and purchase orders to verify accuracy.
- **[Core]** Locate suppliers, using sources such as catalogs and the internet, and interview them to gather information about products to be ordered.
- **[Core]** Maintain knowledge of all organizational and governmental rules affecting purchases, and provide information about these rules to organization staff members and to vendors.
- **[Core]** Monitor in-house inventory movement and complete inventory transfer forms for bookkeeping purposes.
- **[Supplemental]** Train and supervise subordinates and other staff.
- **[Supplemental]** Monitor contractor performance, recommending contract modifications when necessary.
- **[Supplemental]** Prepare invitation-of-bid forms, and mail forms to supplier firms or distribute forms for public posting.

## Detailed work activities

- Analyze financial information.
- Calculate costs of goods or services.
- Check data for recording errors.
- Coordinate shipping activities with external parties.
- Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
- Execute sales or other financial transactions.
- Inspect shipments to ensure correct order fulfillment.
- Maintain current knowledge related to work activities.
- Maintain operational records.
- Monitor inventories of products or materials.
- Obtain information about goods or services.
- Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
- Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
- Provide information to coworkers.
- Send information, materials or documentation.
- Supervise clerical or administrative personnel.
- Track goods or materials.
- Train personnel.
- Verify accuracy of financial or transactional data.