Associate buyer vs purchasing buyer

The differences between associate buyers and purchasing buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an associate buyer, becoming a purchasing buyer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an associate buyer has an average salary of $49,963, which is higher than the $47,471 average annual salary of a purchasing buyer.

The top three skills for an associate buyer include customer service, purchase orders and math. The most important skills for a purchasing buyer are purchase orders, logistics, and cost savings.

Associate buyer vs purchasing buyer overview

	Associate Buyer	Purchasing Buyer
Yearly salary	$49,963	$47,471
Hourly rate	$24.02	$22.82
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	14,942	21,158
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	44	48
Years of experience	4	6

What does an associate buyer do?

An Associate Buyer maintains and keeps records of the inventory and disburses the different materials as required by the departments or personnel. The Associate Buyer reports to the Buyer or Senior Buyer.

What does a purchasing buyer do?

In a retail setting, a purchasing buyer is primarily responsible for devising strategies for procuring supplies, ensuring that it aligns with the company's needs and standards. They are also responsible for conducting thorough marketing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather and process documentation, liaising and negotiating with vendors and suppliers, and keeping track of all purchasing orders to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Furthermore, as a purchasing buyer, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions and submit regular reports to supervisors.

Associate buyer vs purchasing buyer salary

Associate buyers and purchasing buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Associate Buyer	Purchasing Buyer
Average salary	$49,963	$47,471
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $68,000	Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Goleta, CA
Highest paying state	New York	California
Best paying company	VF	Aramco Services Company
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between associate buyer and purchasing buyer education

There are a few differences between an associate buyer and a purchasing buyer in terms of educational background:

	Associate Buyer	Purchasing Buyer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Associate buyer vs purchasing buyer demographics

Here are the differences between associate buyers' and purchasing buyers' demographics:

	Associate Buyer	Purchasing Buyer
Average age	44	48
Gender ratio	Male, 31.8% Female, 68.2%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between associate buyer and purchasing buyer duties and responsibilities

Associate buyer example responsibilities.

Define and manage sales, markdowns, inventories (OTB plans) achieving financial objectives for all years in position.
Manage numerous RFP processes for the non-technology services.
Support include identifying and qualifying vendors, manage process for select RFP's and assist with bid assessments.
Work closely with planner and buyer to manage OTB and determine when to maximize business and when to protect liabilities.
Manage and develop successful relationships with top luxury watch and jewelry brands.
Coordinate and provide direction to inventory teams by managing product placement, open-to-buy, and logistics.

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Purchasing buyer example responsibilities.

Manage the development of RFP process per departmental and legal requirements.
Create and manage requisitions, code billing statements and reconcile monthly bills in PeopleSoft.
Manage logistics and materials receive for appropriate quantities, timeliness and accuracy to complete project project.
Complete request for quotation (RFQ), design reviews, and advance product quality planning (APQP).
Used MRP to track and develop orders for electronic and mechanical commodities for high volume 32,000 a day unit product.
Make purchasing decisions base on the examination and recommendations of the ERP planning system and issuing and maintaining supplier purchase orders.

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Associate buyer vs purchasing buyer skills

Common associate buyer skills

Customer Service, 16%
Purchase Orders, 15%
Math, 5%
Vendor Relations, 5%
Logistics, 3%
Market Trends, 3%

Common purchasing buyer skills

Purchase Orders, 29%
Logistics, 6%
Cost Savings, 5%
ERP, 4%
MRP, 4%
RFQ, 4%

Associate Buyer vs. similar jobs

Associate Buyer related careers

Associate Buyer related jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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