National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

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National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

1524 - Purchasing and inventory control workers

Purchasing and inventory control workers process purchasing transactions and maintain inventories of materials, equipment and stock. They are employed by retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturing companies, government agencies and other establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • inventory analyst
    • inventory clerk
    • inventory control clerk
    • inventory planner
    • procurement clerk
    • purchasing clerk
    • purchasing clerk assistant

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • inventory auditor

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Purchasing agents and officers (See 1225 Purchasing agents and officers)
    • Retail and wholesale buyers (See 6222 Retail and wholesale buyers)
    • Storekeepers and partspersons (See 1522 Storekeepers and partspersons)
    • Supervisors of purchasing and inventory clerks (See 1215 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Purchasing control workers

    • Review requisition orders for accuracy and verify that materials, equipment and stock are not available from current inventories
    • Source and obtain price quotations from catalogues and suppliers and prepare purchase orders
    • Calculate cost of orders and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts
    • Process purchases within purchasing authority
    • Contact suppliers to schedule deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed deliveries and other problems
    • Prepare and maintain purchasing files, reports and price lists.

    Inventory control workers

    • Monitor inventory levels as materials, equipment and stock are issued, transferred within an establishment or sold to the public using manual or computerized inventory systems
    • Compile inventory reports, recording the quantity, type and value of materials, equipment and stock on hand, using manual or computerized inventory systems
    • Prepare requisition orders to replenish materials, equipment and stock
    • Maintain stock rotation and dispose of and account for outdated stock
    • Enter data for production scheduling, stock replenishment/relocation and inventory adjustments
    • Reconcile physical inventories with computer counts.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Courses in purchasing management may be required for purchasing control workers.
    • Courses in production and inventory management and ability to operate a computerized inventory system may be required for inventory control workers.

  • Additional information

    • The duties of purchasing and inventory control workers may overlap in some establishments.
    • Progression to supervisory positions or more senior occupations such as purchasing agent or retail buyer is possible with additional training or experience.
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