Standalone public buyers manage the procurement process and cover all of the procurement needs for a small contracting authority. They are involved in each stage of the procurement process and collaborate with professionals from other departments of the organisation to find the kinds of specialised knowledge that may not be available.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Determining or negotiating contract terms and conditions, awarding supplier contracts or recommending contract awards for the purchase of equipment, raw materials, products, services and merchandise for resale;
(b) Obtaining information about requirements and stock and developing specifications for quantity and quality to be purchased, costs, delivery dates and other contract conditions;
(c) Purchasing general and specialized equipment, materials or business services for use or for further processing by their establishment;
(d) Inviting tenders, consulting with suppliers and reviewing quotations;
(e) Purchasing merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments;
(f) Studying market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visiting trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events;
(g) Selecting the merchandise or products that best fit the establishment's requirements;
(h) Interviewing suppliers and negotiating prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements;
(i) Overseeing distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintaining adequate stock levels;
(j) Establishing delivery schedules, monitoring progress and contacting clients and suppliers to resolve problems.