Behavioral Purchasing Manager Interview Questions & Answers:

1. What is your biggest weakness as Purchasing Manager?

No one likes to answer this question because it requires a very delicate balance. You simply can't lie and say you don't have one; you can't trick the interviewer by offering up a personal weakness that is really a strength ("Sometimes, I work too much and don't maintain a work-life balance."); and you shouldn't be so honest that you throw yourself under the bus ("I'm not a morning person so I'm working on getting to the office on time.")

Think of a small flaw like "I sometimes get sidetracked by small details", "I am occasionally not as patient as I should be with subordinates or co-workers who do not understand my ideas", or "I am still somewhat nervous and uncomfortable with my public-speaking skills and would like to give more presentations and talk in front of others or in meetings." Add that you are aware of the problem and you are doing your best to correct it by taking a course of action.

2. Why do you want this job as Purchasing Manager?

Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don't? You probably should apply elsewhere.)
First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., "I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g., "I've always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I want to be a part of it").

3. How do I calculate Inventory Turns?

Inventory turns is the annual cost of the inventory issued divided by the average monthly inventory value.
The average monthly inventory value is calculated by adding the past 12 monthly inventory values and dividing the total by 12. At the end of each subsequent month, add the latest month's inventory value and delete the 12th most distant monthly inventory value.

The annual cost of issues is calculated by adding the past 12 monthly cost of inventory issues. At the end of each subsequent month, add the latest month's cost of inventory issues and delete the 12th most distant month.

Example: Annual Cost of Issues/ Average Monthly Inventory Value = Inventory Turns $400,000/$100,000 = 4.0 Turns

4. What tools/techniques do you use in motivating employees?

Two of the steps that you can take are to establish expectations, get employees involved by making them part of the improvement process.

5. How do purchasers find their suppliers. Are there favorite places they look?

A prime source for finding new suppliers is the Thomas Register. The Thomas Register lists manufacturers by product categories and geographic location. Thomas Register supplier information can be obtained online from their website (its free), a set of their cds which can be networked within a company, and their set of catalogs. Another good source for finding suppliers is through Trade Associations, most can be accessed online. Another good source and internet search engines such as google.com which can be used to search for specific products, commodities or companies.

6. When have you negotiated a much lower price with a supplier?

To decrease the cost to increase the quantity.

7. Tell us Is a contract that does not state any particular quantity valid?

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) allows for the award of requirements contracts, which do not state any particular quantity. However, a requirements contract is only valid if the contract is awarded in "good faith." Sellers will normally ask for the contract to have an estimated quantity or a quantity range.

8. When have you had a dispute with a supplier? How did you handle it?

I contact with suppliers and solve the dispute.

9. Explain can a shipment be rejected by just simply returning it?

You cannot reject a shipment by just returning it without stating why the shipment is rejected. The UCC states that you must particularize your objections to the goods.

10. Why did you choose to apply at our company?

I hope to improve my skills and I want to be part of it.