- Take inventory or examine merchandise to identify items to be reordered or replenished.
Occupations with related tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV
- Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
- Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
- Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
- Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
- Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
- Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
- Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
- Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
- Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
- Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
- Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
- Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.
- Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
- Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.
- Attend meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions, and seminars to network with people in other purchasing departments.
- Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
- Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
- Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
- Remotely monitor the flow of vehicles or inventory, using Web-based logistics information systems to track vehicles or containers.
- Track product flow from origin to final delivery.
- Monitor inventory transactions at warehouse facilities to assess receiving, storage, shipping, or inventory integrity.
- Maintain databases of logistics information.
- Communicate with or monitor service providers, such as ocean carriers, air freight forwarders, global consolidators, customs brokers, or trucking companies.
- Interpret data on logistics elements, such as availability, maintainability, reliability, supply chain management, strategic sourcing or distribution, supplier management, or transportation.
- Recommend improvements to existing or planned logistics processes.
- Apply analytic methods or tools to understand, predict, or control logistics operations or processes.
- Prepare reports on logistics performance measures.
- Enter logistics-related data into databases.
- Provide ongoing analyses in areas such as transportation costs, parts procurement, back orders, or delivery processes.
- Analyze logistics data, using methods such as data mining, data modeling, or cost or benefit analysis.
- Maintain logistics records in accordance with corporate policies.
- Contact carriers for rates or schedules.
- Manage systems to ensure that pricing structures adequately reflect logistics costing.
- Confer with logistics management teams to determine ways to optimize service levels, maintain supply-chain efficiency, or minimize cost.
- Compute reporting metrics, such as on-time delivery rates, order fulfillment rates, or inventory turns.
- Identify opportunities for inventory reductions.
- Review procedures, such as distribution or inventory management, to ensure maximum efficiency or minimum cost.
- Develop or maintain models for logistics uses, such as cost estimating or demand forecasting.
- Monitor industry standards, trends, or practices to identify developments in logistics planning or execution.
- Write or revise standard operating procedures for logistics processes.
- Reorganize shipping schedules to consolidate loads, maximize vehicle usage, or limit the movement of empty vehicles or containers.
- Contact potential vendors to determine material availability.
- Develop or maintain payment systems to ensure accuracy of vendor payments.
- Develop or maintain freight rate databases for use by supply chain departments to determine the most economical modes of transportation.
- Route or reroute drivers in real time with remote route navigation software, satellite linkup systems, or global positioning systems (GPS) to improve operational efficiencies.
- Determine packaging requirements.
- Enter carbon-output or environmental-impact data into spreadsheets or environmental management or auditing software programs.
- Compare locations or environmental policies of carriers or suppliers to make transportation decisions with lower environmental impact.
- Arrange for sale or lease of excess storage or transport capacity to minimize losses or inefficiencies associated with empty space.
- Remotely monitor the flow of vehicles or inventory, using Web-based logistics information systems to track vehicles or containers.
- Track product flow from origin to final delivery.
- Monitor inventory transactions at warehouse facilities to assess receiving, storage, shipping, or inventory integrity.
- Review inventory and sales records to prepare reports for management and budget departments.
- Inventory stock and reorder when inventory drops to a specified level.
- Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers and responding to customer inquiries and complaints.
- Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers.
- Examine merchandise to ensure that it is correctly priced and displayed and that it functions as advertised.
- Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods.
- Instruct staff on how to handle difficult and complicated sales.
- Assign employees to specific duties.
- Keep records of purchases, sales, and requisitions.
- Perform work activities of subordinates, such as cleaning and organizing shelves and displays and selling merchandise.
- Plan and prepare work schedules and keep records of employees' work schedules and time cards.
- Establish and implement policies, goals, objectives, and procedures for the department.
- Examine products purchased for resale or received for storage to assess the condition of each product or item.
- Enforce safety, health, and security rules.
- Estimate consumer demand and determine the types and amounts of goods to be sold.
- Confer with company officials to develop methods and procedures to increase sales, expand markets, and promote business.
- Formulate pricing policies for merchandise, according to profitability requirements.
- Hire, train, and evaluate personnel in sales or marketing establishments, promoting or firing workers when appropriate.
- Plan and coordinate advertising campaigns and sales promotions and prepare merchandise displays and advertising copy.
- Establish credit policies and operating procedures.
- Plan budgets and authorize payments and merchandise returns.
- Review inventory and sales records to prepare reports for management and budget departments.
- Inventory stock and reorder when inventory drops to a specified level.
- Inventory stock and reorder when inventories drop to specified levels.
- Monitor sales staff performance to ensure that goals are met.
- Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or performing specific services.
- Listen to and resolve customer complaints regarding services, products, or personnel.
- Keep records pertaining to purchases, sales, and requisitions.
- Hire, train, and evaluate personnel.
- Confer with company officials to develop methods and procedures to increase sales, expand markets, and promote business.
- Plan and prepare work schedules, and assign employees to specific duties.
- Attend company meetings to exchange product information and coordinate work activities with other departments.
- Visit retailers and sales representatives to promote products and gather information.
- Formulate pricing policies on merchandise according to profitability requirements.
- Prepare sales and inventory reports for management and budget departments.
- Examine products purchased for resale or received for storage to determine product condition.
- Examine merchandise to ensure correct pricing and display, and that it functions as advertised.
- Analyze details of sales territories to assess their growth potential and to set quotas.
- Coordinate sales promotion activities, such as preparing merchandise displays and advertising copy.
- Prepare rental or lease agreements, specifying charges and payment procedures for use of machinery, tools, or other items.
- Provide staff with assistance in performing difficult or complicated duties.
- Inventory stock and reorder when inventories drop to specified levels.
- Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise.
- Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing.
- Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms.
- Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers' needs.
- Inspect outgoing work for compliance with customers' specifications.
- Receive and respond to customer complaints.
- Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary.
- Compute total charges for merchandise or services and shipping charges.
- Inform customers by mail or telephone of order information, such as unit prices, shipping dates, and any anticipated delays.
- File copies of orders received, or post orders on records.
- Notify departments when supplies of specific items are low, or when orders would deplete available supplies.
- Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts.
- Confer with production, sales, shipping, warehouse, or common carrier personnel to expedite or trace shipments.
- Direct specified departments or units to prepare and ship orders to designated locations.
- Adjust inventory records to reflect product movement.
- Collect payment for merchandise, record transactions, and send items, such as checks or money orders for further processing.
- Calculate and compile order-related statistics, and prepare reports for management.
- Recommend type of packing or labeling needed on order.
- Attempt to sell additional merchandise or services to prospective or current customers by telephone or through visits.
- Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise.
- Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
- Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
- Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
- Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
- Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
- Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
- Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
- Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
- Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
- Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages.
- Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems.
- Maintain and clean work and inventory areas.
- Place new merchandise on display.
- Advise customers on substitution or modification of parts when identical replacements are not available.
- Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment.
- Demonstrate equipment to customers, and explain functioning of equipment.
- Measure parts, using precision measuring instruments, to determine whether similar parts may be machined to required sizes.
- Pick up and deliver parts.
- Repair parts or equipment.
- Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
- Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
- 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.
- 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.
- Review requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
- Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
- Monitor in-house inventory movement and complete inventory transfer forms for bookkeeping purposes.
- Compare suppliers' bills with bids and purchase orders to verify accuracy.
- Locate suppliers, using sources such as catalogs and the internet, and interview them to gather information about products to be ordered.
- Monitor contractor performance, recommending contract modifications when necessary.
- Prepare invitation-of-bid forms, and mail forms to supplier firms or distribute forms for public posting.
- Train and supervise subordinates and other staff.
- Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
- Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
- Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
- Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
- Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
- Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
- Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
- Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.
- Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
- Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.
- Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.
- Negotiate details of contracts and payments.
- Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
- Obtain credit information about prospective customers.
- Forward orders to manufacturers.
- Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment.
- Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients.
- Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
- Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
- Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
- Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
- Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
- Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
- Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
- Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
- Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
- Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
- Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
- Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
- Deliver messages and run errands.
- Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
- Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks.
- Process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports.
- Monitor and direct the work of lower-level clerks.
- Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes.
- Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications.
- Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.
- Make travel arrangements for office personnel.
- Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
- Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
- Monitor or trace the location of goods.
- Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
- Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
- Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
- Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
- Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
- Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
- Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
- Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.
- Advise customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
- Post bonds for the products being imported or assist clients in obtaining bonds.
- Quote duty and tax rates on goods to be imported, based on federal tariffs and excise taxes.
- Arrange for transportation, warehousing, or product distribution of imported or exported products.
- Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.
- Inform importers and exporters of steps to reduce duties and taxes.
- Obtain line releases for frequent shippers of low-risk commodities, high-volume entries, or multiple-container loads.
- Provide advice on transportation options, types of carriers, or shipping routes.
- Contract with freight forwarders for destination services.
- Apply for tariff concessions or for duty drawbacks and other refunds.
- Insure cargo against loss, damage, or pilferage.
- Prepare papers for shippers to appeal duty charges.
- Suggest best methods of packaging or labeling products.
- Maintain relationships with customs brokers in other ports to expedite clearing of cargo.
- Monitor or trace the location of goods.
- Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
- Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
- Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
- Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
- Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
- Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
- Maintain records related to sales.
- Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
- Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
- Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.
- Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
- Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
- Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.
- Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.
- Rent merchandise to customers.
- Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.
- Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
- Monitor inventory levels and requisition or purchase supplies as needed.
- Supervise the work of office, administrative, or customer service employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems.
- Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' questions regarding policies and procedures.
- Provide employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
- Review records or reports pertaining to activities such as production, payroll, or shipping to verify details, monitor work activities, or evaluate performance.
- Discuss job performance problems with employees to identify causes and issues and to work on resolving problems.
- Prepare and issue work schedules, deadlines, and duty assignments for office or administrative staff.
- Recruit, interview, and select employees.
- Interpret and communicate work procedures and company policies to staff.
- Evaluate employees' job performance and conformance to regulations and recommend appropriate personnel action.
- Train or instruct employees in job duties or company policies or arrange for training to be provided.
- Research, compile, and prepare reports, manuals, correspondence, or other information required by management or governmental agencies.
- Implement corporate or departmental policies, procedures, and service standards in conjunction with management.
- Compute figures such as balances, totals, or commissions.
- Coordinate activities with other supervisory personnel or with other work units or departments.
- Participate in the work of subordinates to facilitate productivity or to overcome difficult aspects of work.
- Make recommendations to management concerning such issues as staffing decisions or procedural changes.
- Develop or update procedures, policies, or standards.
- Maintain records pertaining to inventory, personnel, orders, supplies, or machine maintenance.
- Consult with managers or other personnel to resolve problems in areas such as equipment performance, output quality, or work schedules.
- Develop work schedules according to budgets and workloads.
- Analyze financial activities of establishments or departments and provide input into budget planning and preparation processes.
- Design, implement, or evaluate staff training and development programs, customer service initiatives, or performance measurement criteria.
- Keep informed of provisions of labor-management agreements and their effects on departmental operations.
- Discuss work problems or grievances with union representatives.
- Coordinate or perform activities associated with shipping, receiving, distribution, or transportation.
- Plan for or coordinate office services, such as equipment or supply acquisition or organization, disposal of assets, relocation, parking, maintenance, or security services.
- Arrange for necessary maintenance or repair work.
- Plan layouts of stockrooms, warehouses, or other storage areas, considering turnover, size, weight, or related factors pertaining to items stored.
- Monitor inventory levels and requisition or purchase supplies as needed.
- Monitor inventory levels of products or materials in warehouses.
- Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
- Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
- Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
- Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
- Analyze all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
- Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
- Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
- Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
- Analyze the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.
- Establish or monitor specific supply chain-based performance measurement systems.
- Prepare and manage departmental budgets.
- Monitor product import or export processes to ensure compliance with regulatory or legal requirements.
- Prepare management recommendations, such as proposed fee and tariff increases or schedule changes.
- Interview, select, and train warehouse and supervisory personnel.
- Advise sales and billing departments of transportation charges for customers' accounts.
- Analyze expenditures and other financial information to develop plans, policies, or budgets for increasing profits or improving services.
- Confer with department heads to coordinate warehouse activities, such as production, sales, records control, or purchasing.
- Implement specific customer requirements, such as internal reporting or customized transportation metrics.
- Maintain metrics, reports, process documentation, customer service logs, or training or safety records.
- Examine invoices and shipping manifests for conformity to tariff and customs regulations.
- Plan or implement energy saving changes to transportation services, such as reducing routes, optimizing capacities, employing alternate modes of transportation, or minimizing idling.
- Evaluate contractors or business partners for operational efficiency or safety or environmental performance records.
- Negotiate with carriers, warehouse operators, or insurance company representatives for services and preferential rates.
- Develop or implement plans for facility modification or expansion, such as equipment purchase or changes in space allocation or structural design.
- Direct inbound or outbound operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
- Plan or implement improvements to internal or external systems or processes.
- Recommend or authorize capital expenditures for acquisition of new equipment or property to increase efficiency and services.
- Review invoices, work orders, consumption reports, or demand forecasts to estimate peak performance periods and to issue work assignments.
- Monitor inventory levels of products or materials in warehouses.
