This unit applies to individuals who are responsible for managing international purchasing in an organisation. These individuals develop and implement relevant supply chain management strategies, and manage and review the implementation of improvements to international purchasing strategies.

Individuals undertaking this unit support the work of other employees carrying out international purchasing functions.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Develop and document strategies for international purchasing

1.1. Research and analyse strategic implications for the organisation's international purchasing

1.2. Research international market structures

1.3. Research and analyse export requirements of supplier country

1.4. Draft and submit organisation's strategies for international purchasing for approval

2. Implement international purchasing strategies

2.1. Communicate international purchasing strategies to relevant personnel and stakeholders

2.2. Provide support to stakeholders to implement international purchasing strategies

2.3. Monitor implementation of international purchasing strategies within the organisation

2.4. Identify and address problems and issues arising from implementation of international purchasing strategies

3. Undertake more complex international purchasing

3.1. Ensure that export markets and cultural considerations having a potential impact on international purchasing are researched and appropriate markets chosen

3.2. Research and apply relevant international legal requirements on sale of goods and Australian regulatory controls applicable to imports into Australia

3.3. Apply relevant INCOTERMS and trade terms to international purchasing

3.4. Draft exception clauses to business conditions

3.5. Clarify and resolve any discrepancies to the satisfaction of all parties

3.6. Prepare draft contract and access legal expertise to check legality of contract agreement

4. Determine payment strategies

4.1. Analyse financial risk and implement available controls

4.2. Identify source and availability of funds for payment

4.3. Research and analyse currency payment methods

4.4. Select currency payment methods

4.5. Plan and implement expenditure phasing

5. Arrange barter or countertrade

5.1. Research and analyse strategic implications of arranging specific barter or countertrade

5.2. Determine suppliers willing to engage in international barter or countertrade

5.3. Negotiate and reach agreement with partners on commercial conditions for proposed barter or countertrade

5.4. Prepare draft contract and access legal expertise to check legality of contract agreement

5.5. Approve and issue contracts

5.6. Investigate and resolve any disagreements and discrepancies to the satisfaction of all parties

6. Determine logistics strategies

6.1. Arrange inspection following ascertaining requirements for pre-shipment inspection

6.2. Research and analyse shipping facilities and other transport risks

6.3. Research and analyse regulatory compliance requirements for importation into Australia

6.4. Develop logistics strategies for the organisation taking into account appropriate transport, insurance and regulatory compliance requirements

6.5. Gain approval from relevant personnel for implementation of logistics strategies

7. Evaluate international purchasing strategies and implement identified improvements

7.1. Review implementation of international purchasing strategies

7.2. Identify improvements to international purchasing strategies from the review process

7.3. Gain approval to implement improvements to international purchasing strategies

7.4. Communicate changes to relevant stakeholders and support provided to implement improvements

7.5. Monitor and review implementation of changes is to determine effectiveness of improvements

Required skills

culturally appropriate communication skills to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and people with diverse abilities

literacy skills to develop and document international purchasing strategies, draft contracts and produce international purchasing documentation

negotiation and verbal communication skills to successfully conduct international purchasing activities in a cross cultural context and within organisation

organisational and time management skills to ensure international purchasing activities are conducted in a timely manner

problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles arising in international purchasing activities

research skills to analyse international markets and regulatory requirements affecting international purchasing

risk management skills.

Required knowledge

international markets and cultural considerations relevant to purchasing in supplier countries

knowledge of INCOTERMS

methods of payment applicable to international purchasing, including barter and countertrade

organisational policies and procedures for international purchasing

range of available agencies involved in arranging importation arrangements such as:

consultants

customs brokers

freight forwarders

range of available insurance brokers and types of policies to cover identified risks

sources of information and assistance external to organisation, for example:

Austrade

chambers of commerce

customs brokers

regulatory authorities, such as ACS and AQIS

state/territory government departments or agencies

range of available logistics and transport companies.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

completion of documented international purchasing strategies for an organisation

implementation of international purchasing strategies in an organisation

completion of a complex international purchase

completion of a barter or countertrade

implementation an evaluation of transport and logistics strategies to obtain goods purchased internationally.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to an actual workplace or simulated environment

access to office equipment and resources

organisation's purchasing strategies and relevant purchasing records.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

assessment of documented international purchasing strategies

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

observation of actions undertaken to achieve an international purchase

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge

review testimony from team members, colleagues, supervisors or managers

review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

other purchasing units.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Strategic implications may include:

business risks

compliance requirements

economic and financial implications

establishment of overseas branches and agencies or representatives

knowledge and information requirements

Export requirements may include:

business processes and practices of supplier country

compliance with legislation

international treaties

quotas

tariffs

trading agreements

Cultural considerations may include:

attitudes

beliefs

business processes and practices within supplier country

culturally appropriate communication styles

perception of Australia

values

International legal requirements may include:

international law

international trade agreements and treaties

legislation applicable to supplier country

Australian regulatory controls may include:

Australian Customs Service (ACS) requirements

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) requirements

Australian Taxation Office requirements

requirements of other government departments and agencies

Trade Practices Act

INCOTERMS refer to:

the set of international rules for the interpretation of trade terms published by ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) and applied to imports and exports to specify transportation and payment conditions

Controls may include:

guarantees

insurance

other strategies to minimise or transfer risk

selection or rejection of particular payment methods

specifying a particular currency for payment

Currency payment methods may include:

hedging

letters of credit

payment by cheque upon/after shipment

Barter refers to:

the simultaneous exchange of goods between the importer and exporter

Countertrade refers to:

a trading transaction where export sales to a particular market are made on the condition that imports from that particular market are accepted in return

Requirements for pre-shipment inspection may include:

checks made of things such as:

checks of condition of goods prior to shipment

labelling of goods and containers

packaging (including condition of containers)

quality

quantities

separation of goods to comply with Australian regulations such as Dangerous Goods Act

Regulatory compliance requirements may include:

fumigation and quarantine regulations

labelling requirements

legislation and regulations related to prohibited imports

separation of goods to comply with Australian regulations such as Dangerous Goods Act

Unit sector

Administration - Purchasing and Contracting

This unit contains employability skills.