Common Purchasing Manager Interview Preparation Guide

Download PDF

No one likes to answer this question because it requires a very delicate balance. You simply can't lie and say you don't have one; you can't trick the interviewer by offering up a personal weakness that is really a strength ("Sometimes, I work too much and don't maintain a work-life balance."); and you shouldn't be so honest that you throw yourself under the bus ("I'm not a morning person so I'm working on getting to the office on time.")

Think of a small flaw like "I sometimes get sidetracked by small details", "I am occasionally not as patient as I should be with subordinates or co-workers who do not understand my ideas", or "I am still somewhat nervous and uncomfortable with my public-speaking skills and would like to give more presentations and talk in front of others or in meetings." Add that you are aware of the problem and you are doing your best to correct it by taking a course of action.

Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don't? You probably should apply elsewhere.)
First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., "I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g., "I've always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I want to be a part of it").

Inventory turns is the annual cost of the inventory issued divided by the average monthly inventory value.
The average monthly inventory value is calculated by adding the past 12 monthly inventory values and dividing the total by 12. At the end of each subsequent month, add the latest month's inventory value and delete the 12th most distant monthly inventory value.

The annual cost of issues is calculated by adding the past 12 monthly cost of inventory issues. At the end of each subsequent month, add the latest month's cost of inventory issues and delete the 12th most distant month.

Example: Annual Cost of Issues/ Average Monthly Inventory Value = Inventory Turns $400,000/$100,000 = 4.0 Turns

Two of the steps that you can take are to establish expectations, get employees involved by making them part of the improvement process.

A prime source for finding new suppliers is the Thomas Register. The Thomas Register lists manufacturers by product categories and geographic location. Thomas Register supplier information can be obtained online from their website (its free), a set of their cds which can be networked within a company, and their set of catalogs. Another good source for finding suppliers is through Trade Associations, most can be accessed online. Another good source and internet search engines such as google.com which can be used to search for specific products, commodities or companies.

To decrease the cost to increase the quantity.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) allows for the award of requirements contracts, which do not state any particular quantity. However, a requirements contract is only valid if the contract is awarded in "good faith." Sellers will normally ask for the contract to have an estimated quantity or a quantity range.

I contact with suppliers and solve the dispute.

You cannot reject a shipment by just returning it without stating why the shipment is rejected. The UCC states that you must particularize your objections to the goods.

I hope to improve my skills and I want to be part of it.

A typical interview question to determine what you are looking for your in next job, and whether you would be a good fit for the position being hired for, is "What challenges are you looking for in a position?"
The best way to answer questions about the challenges you are seeking is to discuss how you would like to be able to effectively utilize your skills and experience if you were hired for the job.
You can also mention that you are motivated by challenges, have the ability to effectively meet challenges, and have the flexibility and skills necessary to handle a challenging job.
You can continue by describing specific examples of challenges you have met and goals you have achieved in the past.

Cash poor countries and organizations engage in counter trading by exchanging commodities of equal value. Counter trading offers cash poor countries and organizations greater access to the world markets by offering them an alternate method of acquiring goods. Reciprocal trading provides participating nations with equivalent competitive trading opportunities based on mutual agreements negotiated to adjust tariffs, duties, and customs restrictions in order to increase foreign trade and improve border-to-border relationships among participating countries.

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.

It should be obvious that it's not a good idea talk about non-work related activities that you do on company time, but, I've had applicants tell me how they are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long lunch break to work at the gym.
Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.") and efficient.

To explain every thing more and more, make to be explain the thing once.

Be careful. If you have a number of choices to choose from, try not to choose one of the essential tasks of supervision.

When checking supplier references, you need to collect as much information as possible to help you make a wise decision. You should interview at least three references and engage them in conversation. Verify all the information you already have about the supplier. Find out the scope of the project and how long the contract was for.

The following are some questions that could help you make an informative decision:

► Were you pleased with the work performed?
► Would you do business with this supplier again?
► How long have you been doing business with this supplier?
► What do you like best about the work performed?
► What do you like the least about this supplier?
► Is there anything about the work performed that you were not happy with?
► Was the contract completed on time?
► Was the supplier helpful and timely when responding to your questions?
► Were there any unexpected expenses or additional costs unrelated to change orders?
► Were there any unexpected delays unrelated to change orders?

► What have been the biggest achievements in your procurement career?
► What do you like most and least about procurement?
► Give an example of a time when you have had a difficult experience with a stakeholder and how you resolved it.
► What tools and techniques would you use to implement a company-wide operational change driven by a procurement need to save money? And how would you get buy-in from stakeholders?
► What has been the hardest lesson you have learnt in procurement?
► Give an example when your perseverance resulted in a win for you and your organisation?
► Who has had the biggest influence of your career? And how have they helped shape you?
► What ongoing education are you undertaking?
► What would you like to be doing in two or three years? And what is your career goal in 10 years' time?
► What attracted you to apply for this role and to work this company?

► Tell me about your last position and what you did?
► What do you know about the position of your Purchasing manager position?
► Describe two or three major trends in your field?
► Did you choose this profession/field?
► What tertiary qualifications have you attained that related to Purchasing manager?
► What is the most recent skill you have learned that related to Purchasing manager?
► What tertiary qualifications have you attained that related to your Purchasing manager position?
► Where would you like to be in 3 years? 5 years?
► What made you choose to apply to Purchasing manager?
► What are key tasks for Purchasing manager?
► What have you learned from your past jobs that related to Purchasing manager?
► Why did you leave your last job?
► How to do each Purchasing manager position task/function?
► How to control each task/function of Purchasing manager? Etc
► What are your strengths and weaknesses?
► What are top top 3 skills for Purchasing manager?
► How to measure job performance of your position: Purchasing manager?
► What do you know about this company?
► What is the most recent skill you have learned that related to your Purchasing manager position?

► How do you see your job relating to the overall goals?
► What has been your most successful experience in speech making?
► What irritates you about other people?
► Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to succeed in your career?
► What support training would you require to be able to do this job?

What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
Tell me about a difficult experience you had in working.
What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
What do you feel is the best educational preparation for this career?
Who was your favorite manager and why?

Ask a friend or relative of yours to help you practice answering Purchase manager interview questions. Your answer should be focused on what you can bring to the role that will be of benefit to the company. Provide truthful answers to Purchase manager interview questions and exude confidence when speaking.

► Imagine a batch of products that was just delivered doesn't meet specifications. How do you handle it?
► If an order of raw materials is delayed, there may be a stop in production. How do you ensure this doesn't happen?
► If I asked you to achieve cost savings in a limited time, what would you consider?
► Imagine one of the departments are asking for equipment that exceeds budget claiming they really need it. How do you resolve this?

► How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
► When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
► How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?
► Tell me about yourself.
► What was the most stressful situation you have faced?

Emphasize benefits to the company.
Avoid negative comments about past employers.
Make sure your eye contact with the interviewers during the interview.

► How did you prepare for this work?
► Have you done this kind of work before?
► How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
► Give me an example of a high-pressure situation?
► Give an example of a time you successfully worked on a team.

A short positive response is best.
If interviewing for a professional-level position, be ready to answer questions about standards within the industry. Do not forget to ask for the names of interviewers. And then, remember to give them a polite thank you.

► Give some examples of teamwork.
► Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
► What do you think you can bring to this position?
► How do you think you can make a contribution to this company?
► How would you weigh a plane without scales?

► What was the most important task you ever had?
► Tell me about your proudest achievement.
► What quality of yours or personal trait matters the most in your career?
► Which subjects did you enjoy during your qualifying degree?
► What attracted you to this company?

Have some good ones handy to mention. We recommend that you don't immediately respond to the question directly. A successful interviewee should give examples of past experiences when these skills came to use.