14403

Purchasing and inventory control workers

TEER 4 — High-school diploma or several weeks of training

Express Entry skill level: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Business, finance & administration

1 › 14 › 144 › 1440

Definition

Purchasing and inventory control workers process purchasing transactions and maintain inventories of materials, equipment and stock. They are employed by retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturing companies, government agencies and other establishments.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Purchasing control workers
Review requisition orders for accuracy and verify that materials, equipment and stock are not available from current inventories
Source and obtain price quotations from catalogues and suppliers and prepare purchase orders
Calculate cost of orders and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts
Process purchases within purchasing authority
Contact suppliers to schedule deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed deliveries and other problems
Prepare and maintain purchasing files, reports and price lists.
Inventory control workers
Monitor inventory levels as materials, equipment and stock are issued, transferred within an establishment or sold to the public using manual or computerized inventory systems
Compile inventory reports, recording the quantity, type and value of materials, equipment and stock on hand, using manual or computerized inventory systems
Prepare requisition orders to replenish materials, equipment and stock
Maintain stock rotation and dispose of and account for outdated stock
Enter data for production scheduling, stock replenishment/relocation and inventory adjustments
Reconcile physical inventories with computer counts.

Example job titles

•inventory analyst
•inventory clerk
•inventory control clerk
•inventory planner
•procurement clerk
•purchasing clerk
•purchasing clerk assistant

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, Purchasing and inventory control workers are classified under NOC code 14403. This occupation falls under TEER 4, which typically requires a secondary school graduation diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. These workers play an essential role in supply chain management across Canadian industries, ensuring that stock levels are optimized and procurement processes run smoothly.

According to the official Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) guidelines, the primary duties for NOC 14403 include identifying, locating, acquiring, and assigning inventory, as well as maintaining detailed records of purchasing, pricing, and stock. Professionals in this field compile inventory reports, prepare purchase orders, monitor stock levels to prevent shortages, and coordinate with suppliers to resolve any delivery or billing discrepancies.

Foreign nationals with qualified work experience in this TEER 4 occupation may find immigration pathways through certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) or regional immigration pilots that target intermediate-skilled workers. Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official and up-to-date guidance, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.