By Gabrielle Venter

Ike Spyron is the owner of Spar, Newlands. Being the owner of a store, Ike does several jobs. One of them, being the purchasing manager. Ike loves his career but said that he had always wanted to be a film-maker but he eventually went on to study to be a computer analyst and by a series of fortunate events he ended up as a retailer. “I like working with people, I like taking stores from nowhere to somewhere.” SA Career Focus spoke to him about the job of a purchasing manager.

Basics

A purchasing manager is also known as a buyer. The salary varies from place to place and company to company, with experience playing a part. With regards to retail, Ike says a purchasing manager can earn R10 000 to R12 000 per month.

Job description

A purchasing manager sees reps and together with the reps decide on the range, quantities to purchase and at what price to sell the products in the store. 

Pros and cons

“The pros,” says Ike “are that you can ultimately become a marketing director in a big corporation and the perks that the suppliers treat you to”. 

“The con,” says Ike “is if you purchase more stock than the business needs, you will have tied

Required studies or experience

Ike says that there is no specific education required for this job, but you will have to start at the bottom. “You must know how to merchandise things on-shelf, in what quantity, how much facing to give a brand. You also need experience in how to run a business.”

Personality types

“You don’t want to be the type feared by reps, therefore you must be friendly and  able to ‘con’ reps to get a good deal. You must also be honest,” smiles Ike.

An average day

An average day would entail running the store, checking the pricing and stock and seeing reps that usually come in without appointments.

The worst thing about this job

“Purchasing too much stock and being dishonest in your dealings, such as accepting illegal kick-backs and preferring one supplier above another,” frowns Ike.

The best thing about this job

“Being respected by the suppliers as someone who knows what he is doing, as in buying the right quantities, not tying up too much cash in stock unnecessarily and someone who is able to squeeze a good deal from suppliers,” laughs Ike.