Buyer lead vs strategic buyer

The differences between buyer leads and strategic buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a buyer lead and a strategic buyer. Additionally, a strategic buyer has an average salary of $74,725, which is higher than the $60,256 average annual salary of a buyer lead.

The top three skills for a buyer lead include purchase orders, supplier performance and commodities. The most important skills for a strategic buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and strategic sourcing.

Buyer lead vs strategic buyer overview

	Buyer Lead	Strategic Buyer
Yearly salary	$60,256	$74,725
Hourly rate	$28.97	$35.93
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	20,610	23,156
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

Buyer lead vs strategic buyer salary

Buyer leads and strategic buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Buyer Lead	Strategic Buyer
Average salary	$60,256	$74,725
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $82,000	Between $51,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Pleasanton, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	California
Best paying company	Lam Research	Entegris
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between buyer lead and strategic buyer education

There are a few differences between a buyer lead and a strategic buyer in terms of educational background:

	Buyer Lead	Strategic Buyer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Buyer lead vs strategic buyer demographics

Here are the differences between buyer leads' and strategic buyers' demographics:

	Buyer Lead	Strategic Buyer
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%	Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between buyer lead and strategic buyer duties and responsibilities

Buyer lead example responsibilities.

Facilitate and manage key communication between internal customers and suppliers regarding RFP status, price and contract negotiations.
Used T4m (ERP system )
Direct and indirect (MRO) purchase materials.
Implement usage of ERP system to its full capacity.
Serve as key team member on development and implementation of automate MRO systems.
Issue and analyze RFQ and RFP to obtain the best cost and quality for goods and services.

Strategic buyer example responsibilities.

Manage the implementation of essential MRO procurement initiatives to increase quality of technology while minimizing cost and timing.
Communicate with stakeholders to gather current requirements and specifications to be used within an RFI, RFQ, or RFP.
Analyze MRP forecasts and usage, applying thorough knowledge of the company s products and business objectives for sound procurement decisions.
Monitor inventory in coordination with third-party logistics providers.
Spearhead numerous process enhancements through ERP system automation.
Expedite and administer complex international arrangements for logistics department.

Buyer lead vs strategic buyer skills

Common buyer lead skills

Purchase Orders, 19%
Supplier Performance, 17%
Commodities, 7%
RFQ, 6%
On-Time Delivery, 6%
Customer Service, 4%

Common strategic buyer skills

Supply Chain, 17%
Purchase Orders, 6%
Strategic Sourcing, 5%
Supplier Performance, 5%
Cost Reduction, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 5%