Purchasing and Customs Agents, Officers, and Brokers

Nature of work

Purchasing agents buy general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights and business services for use or for further processing by their establishment. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

Customs brokers clear goods through customs and to their destination on behalf of importer and exporter clients. Ship brokers buy and sell cargo space on ships and buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients. This group also includes other brokers, not elsewhere classified, who negotiate commercial transactions, logistics or other services between parties on behalf of clients. They are employed by customs, ship or other brokerage establishments or may be self-employed.

Job duties

Purchasing agents and officers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Purchase general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights, or business services for use or for further processing by their establishment.
• Assess requirements of an establishment and develop specifications for equipment, materials and supplies to be purchased.
• Invite tenders, consult with suppliers and review quotations.
• Determine or negotiate contract terms and conditions, award supplier contracts or recommend contract awards.
• Establish logistics of delivery schedules, monitor progress and contact clients and suppliers to resolve problems.
• Negotiate land acquisition or access rights for public or private use, and may conduct field investigations of properties.
• May hire, train or supervise purchasing clerks.
• Purchasing agents and officers may specialize in the purchase of particular materials or business services such as furniture or office equipment.

Customs brokers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Prepare and process import/export documents and other forms on behalf of clients according to customs regulations, laws and procedures.
• Sign import/export documents on behalf of client, using power of attorney.
• Arrange for payment of duties, taxes, storage and transportation of imported goods and bonds to cover duty goods.
• Quote duty and tax rates on commodities for clients.
• Provide advice to clients on export and import restrictions, tariff systems, letters of credit, insurance requirements and other custom related matters.
• May represent client before administrative tribunals or in other dealings with government officials.

Shipbrokers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Buy and sell cargo space on ships on behalf of individuals, companies and governments.
• Consult trade publications and other sources to provide information to clients on available cargo space, destinations, rates and departure locations and times, and arrange ship charters for clients.
• Negotiate rates and terms and prepare contracts and other papers.
• Buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients.
• Inspect vessels, explain features and negotiate price when purchasing or selling for clients.
• Arrange for insurance coverage for cargo or for ships.
• Arrange for registration and licensing of ships.

Sample job titles

• advertising buyer
• cargo broker
• contract negotiator
• customs broker
• land agent
• procurement officer
• purchaser
• purchasing agent
• ship agent
• shipbroker

Skills

To work in this field, you need excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. You must have good negotiation skills and be attentive to detail. The ability to analyze detailed information accurately and quickly is necessary in order to make decisions. You must have initiative and be willing to accept new ideas and take risks. You must be efficient and aware of customer needs. Familiarity with computers would be helpful.

Job requirements

• Completion of high school is required and some post-secondary education in commerce or a related field may be required to work in these jobs.
• A bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics is usually required for purchasing agents and officers.
• A certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) may be required for purchasing agents and officers.
• Certification from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) may be required.
• Customs brokers require several years of on-the-job training and completion of a customs brokers training program through the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association. A customs broker licence, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, is required for an individual or company to operate a customs brokerage business.
• Correspondence courses from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers are available for shipbrokers.

Other considerations

Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience. There is no mobility between the different types of brokers in this group.

Regulations

Contacts

Purchaser

View posting

Procurement Supervisor

View posting