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CHAPTER V 
BUYING 
QUALIFICATIONS OF A PURCHASING AGENT 
The purchasing agent’s activities involve almost all 
of the production factors enumerated. He has, of course, 
to deal primarily with materials and the markets for 
these materials. In his contact with salesmen and sup- 
pliers of materials he must deal with men. In knowing 
his financial limits he has to deal with money. In 
devising good systems and running his department 
economically he has to do with methods. It is quite 
apparent, therefore, that he must be a versatile, broad- 
gage man. He is probably the most important official 
next to the general manager and works manager. 
It is important that an assistant or substitute for the 
purchasing agent be under training in every well- 
organized business. While such an assistant may not, 
before he has had sufficient training or experience, be 
ready to take the purchasing agent's position in case of 
a sudden vacancy, he can tide over the intervening period 
between the old department head’s time of leaving and 
the time required for the new purchasing agent to become 
acquainted with the business. In a great many instances, 
if the assistant has had sufficient training and experience 
and is mature enough, he can be appointed to be the 
head of the department in case of a vacancy. 
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