The primary responsibilities of a director of purchasing are to buy materials for an organization to use or resell and to analyze supplier data. They compare suppliers based on price, quality, and delivery time. The director of purchasing also interviews vendors and visits suppliers to learn about new products and services. They may head a team of purchasers and manage a purchasing department. Skills in business practice and negotiation are essential for this career because directors are required to negotiate contracts on behalf of their organizations. The educational requirement for this job is typically a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related subject. Qualifications include but are not limited to, an understanding of supply chain management, financial analysis, data analysis, inventory management, interpersonal communication, and office administration.