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Purchasing Agent Jobs in Murray, KY (NOW HIRING)

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Purchasing Agent information

See Murray, KY salary details

$25.1K

$44.4K

$68.6K

How much do purchasing agent jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for purchasing agent in Murray, KY is $44,421.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,400.00 and $49,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a purchasing agent?

Purchasing agents buy goods and services for a company to use or resell. As a purchasing agent, you research products, pricing, and suppliers for items your company needs or wants to sell. Your job duties as a purchasing agent include attending trade shows and sales pitches, evaluating suppliers, negotiating contracts, arranging deliveries, and maintaining records of product pricing, performance, and inventory.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a purchasing agent?

To thrive as a Purchasing Agent, you need strong negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills, typically supported by a degree in business or supply chain management. Proficiency with procurement software, ERP systems like SAP, and familiarity with inventory management tools is often required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring cost-effective purchasing decisions, maintaining supplier relationships, and supporting smooth business operations.

What are some common challenges purchasing agents face when negotiating with suppliers?

Purchasing Agents often encounter challenges such as fluctuating market prices, limited supplier options, and tight deadlines when negotiating contracts. Balancing cost savings with quality requirements and maintaining positive supplier relationships can be difficult, especially in fast-paced industries. To overcome these challenges, successful Purchasing Agents stay informed about market trends, develop strong communication skills, and frequently collaborate with internal teams like inventory management and finance to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Purchasing Agent vs Buyer?

AspectPurchasing AgentBuyer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certifications like CPSMHigh school diploma; certifications like C.P.M. can be beneficial
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, often within procurement or supply chain departmentsOffice environment, working closely with suppliers and internal teams
Industry UsageCommonly used in manufacturing, retail, and logistics sectorsWidely used across retail, manufacturing, and wholesale industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding procurement roles, responsibilities, and qualificationsComparing purchasing and buying roles, career paths, and job duties

The main difference between a Purchasing Agent and a Buyer lies in their scope and responsibilities. Purchasing Agents often handle broader procurement strategies and supplier negotiations, while Buyers focus on selecting and purchasing specific goods or services. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, and they are frequently used interchangeably depending on the industry.

Is a purchasing agent a hard job?

A purchasing agent's job involves negotiating with suppliers, managing inventory, and ensuring timely procurement of goods, which can be demanding due to deadlines and the need for attention to detail. The role requires strong communication skills, organization, and knowledge of supply chain processes, but the difficulty varies depending on the industry and complexity of the purchasing tasks.

Is purchasing a stressful job?

Purchasing agents often face stress due to tight deadlines, budget constraints, and the need to negotiate favorable terms. The role requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage supplier relationships and ensure timely procurement, which can contribute to work-related pressure.
More about Purchasing Agent jobs

What cities near Murray, KY are hiring for Purchasing Agent jobs?

Cities near Murray, KY with the most Purchasing Agent job openings:

Purchasing Agent jobs near you
Infographic showing various Purchasing Agent job openings in Murray, KY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,421 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Buyer/Purchasing Agent

Paris, TN • On-site

Four Seasons Sales & Service
Wholesale • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Four Seasons Sales & Serviceexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Job Summary: 
As a Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing product assortments that drive sales and profitability across our wholesale and e-commerce channels. This role combines vendor management, inventory planning, and sales analysis to ensure the right products are available at the right time, price, and margin. You will collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and sales teams to support promotions, new product launches, and overall business growth.
 
SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • One year’s experience in purchasing, buying, or procurement preferred.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite, especially MS Word and Excel.
  • Effective in working in a demanding environment.
  • Desire to learn product attributes and functionality.
  • Ability to organize, set priorities, and work as a team member or independently.
  • Persuasive communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Ability to spot trends in the market and translate them into products desired by our target customer.
  • Ability to analyze sales reports and future projections and draw conclusions/ provide recommendations on maximizing profit.
  • Ability to think creatively, solve problems and be flexible with change.
  • Experience with ERP systems (AS400, Shopify, etc.)
  • Data analysis skills (forecasting, etc.)
  • Understanding of product lifecycle
  • Experience in wholesale, retail, or beauty industry (preferred)

JOB DUTIES:
  • Negotiating buying terms with vendors.
  • Generating and presenting analytical reports such as market research, price comparisons, and cost analyses.
  • Keeping abreast of competitors and the new products on the market.
  • Review of inventory levels and maintaining adequate quantities of assigned items.
  • Developing new products with existing vendors or sourcing new vendors for product ideas.
  • Maintain Item Master File information for all assigned vendors’ product offerings.
  • Maintain accurate records of purchases, contracts, and supplier information.
  • Monitor inventory to identify slow moving items and generate ideas to move those items to optimize inventory turnover and minimize carrying cost.
  • Analyze sales patterns, inventory levels and products by various vendors.
  • Use analysis to leverage purchasing, reduce product cost & reduce inventory investment.
  • Resolve defective goods and/or shipment discrepancies with vendors.
  • Provide information for Marketing to develop catalogs and maintain website.
  • Proof catalog pages and marketing materials for assigned vendors. 
  • Accountability for documenting purchases and all charges on assigned company credit card. 
  • Set up monthly promotions for assigned vendors’ product offerings.
  • Maintain confidentiality of extremely sensitive information concerning costs, supplier information, etc. 
  • Collaborate with marketing, warehouse, and customer service teams to ensure product availability, accurate promotions, and customer satisfaction
  • Additional duties as assigned. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This job operates in a temperature-controlled office environment. Casual dress attire. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and fax machines. 
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Visual acuity, speech, hearing, and hand and eye coordination are required. Manual dexterity required to operate a computer keyboard and basic office equipment. Occasionally subject to prolonged periods of sitting with repetitive use of hands, fingers, wrists. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs., push/pull up to 75 lbs., bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, twist, and reach.