The Construction Purchasing Agent Handbook: The Critical Sourcing Method

This handbook is for anyone responsible for procuring the day-to-day tooling, equipment, material, rental, or other needs of a construction jobsite. Supplier management, embracing technology, price reduction strategies, and many other processes are discussed in an easy to understand format. Customer service is stressed and specific discussion is given on achieving success as a construction purchasing agent. My goal is all about you finding success as a purchasing agent in the construction industry. I want you to become a valuable asset to your organization with the corresponding salary compensation and upward career trajectory. By providing excellent customer service, adhering to company spending criteria, and doing what you can to positively impact the bottom line of your organization it will only be a matter of time before you are recognized as a professional and given more influence over processes. In the construction industry, the Purchasing Department has traditionally been thought of as a cost center that offers a service, but little strategic importance. This is a consequence of the "3 bids and a buy" concept that used to be very common for making buying decisions. Working as a purchasing agent is no longer a job for clerks, and many skills must be learned to negotiate with salespersons, analyze quotes, develop strategic processes, and manage suppliers. The experiences of the last several years led me to write this book. I remember what it was like to take on purchasing responsibilities with no basic guidance. To this day I look for valuable information about how purchasing can be improved in the construction industry; I'm disappointed in how rare something turns up. I like this work, and very much want you to enjoy it also. To this end I'm going to arm you with the fundamental skills needed to be successful at your job and well thought of in your company. The first steps are meeting the expectations of your customers, mastering the daily processes, implementing price reduction strategies, and building a team of A-level suppliers. Goals should be set and final outcomes measured. And always add value. Chapters include: Finding success Basic construction purchasing Price reduction Supplier management Equipment rental Green purchasing Ethics Subcontracts and more"

About the Author :
Travis D. Tilton, C.P.M., is the Founder and CEO of Critical Sourcing and Jobsitebuying.com, a national construction procurement firm that manages over $50MM annually in purchasing. Mr. Tilton has spoken and written extensively on construction procurement and is considered a leading expert in the field.