costume-buyer/references/tasks.md

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.