skillfactor-pipeline/skills/textile-sourcing-merchandiser/references/tasks.md

# Tasks & work activities — textile sourcing merchandiser

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 13-1023.00 (Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 3323; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- **[Core]** Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- **[Core]** Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
- **[Core]** Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- **[Core]** Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- **[Core]** Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
- **[Core]** Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
- **[Core]** Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
- **[Core]** Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
- **[Core]** Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
- **[Core]** Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
- **[Core]** Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
- **[Supplemental]** Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
- **[Supplemental]** Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
- **[Core]** Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
- **[Core]** Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
- **[Core]** Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.
- **[Core]** Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
- **[Core]** Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.

## Detailed work activities

- Analyze business or financial data.
- Analyze market conditions or trends.
- Conduct eligibility or selection interviews.
- Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.
- Develop business relationships.
- Develop technical specifications for systems or equipment.
- Establish organizational guidelines or policies.
- Estimate demand for products or services.
- Evaluate applicable laws and regulations to determine impact on organizational activities.
- Execute sales or other financial transactions.
- Maintain data in information systems or databases.
- Monitor inventories of products or materials.
- Monitor organizational processes.
- Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.
- Obtain information about goods or services.
- Pay charges, fees, or taxes.
- Purchase products or services.
- Supervise employees.
- Train personnel to enhance job skills.