Most of us want to do a good job for our employer. Most also probably feel they are doing so and are surprised if they don’t get a big raise or the raise they do get is not as much as they expected. Some feel they should get a promotion.

Think about it. If you were in your boss’s position, would you give someone a big raise or a promotion if they were just doing the job you hired them for?

To get a big reward, it is not enough to simply do your job. It is not enough if you are simply placing orders quickly when you receive requisitions. It is probably not enough to be considered for a promotion even though you believe you are negotiating big savings.

Okay, you say, what more should I do? First of all you need to be prepared for the emergencies. You need to be able to plan and anticipate supplier problems so that most of the time they can be avoided. When problems do appear, you need to be prepared and ready to solve them and to prevent them in the future.

Contributing something more than order processing will go a long way toward getting you more recognition. Improve your operation by better policies and procedures.

Improve the level of inventory by using your imagination. Spearhead a drive to change specifications so that one item will replace two. Implement J.I.T. Get suppliers to stock for you. Investigate ways to reduce scrap and waste.

Keep up to date on the latest developments in your profession. Read and learn about your products and your industry so that you become an expert and so people come to you for answers. Develop alliances by letting colleagues know news about the industry.

The Society frequently receives resumes from purchasing personnel who are unhappy because they haven’t received the recognition that they think they deserve. Some of these people have only been with their employer for a short time, others have had a dozen years with the same employer. Before leaving an employer, make sure you have done everything possible to show your real value. As the old saying goes, the other side is always greener. Make sure your performance is exceptional before moving to a situation that may be no different or perhaps worse.