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What is a buying analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Buying analysts are essentials members of a supply chain management team. They mediate between organizations and suppliers, find sources to procure supplies, analyze costs and set quality standards to ensure top-notch products keep competitors at bay.

As a buying analyst, you might be employed in a wide variety of industries. As long as they sell products, they are going to need you. Your job will be to support buyers by analyzing procurement and sales metrics. You will prepare orders, solicit proposals and review bids from vendors. It will be your responsibility to review contracts, keep track of contract details and documents, invoices, reports, and the like.

You will run regular price audits and monitor the company's obligations towards suppliers. You will also be expected to present the financial status of your department to the executive directors regularly.

ScoreBuying AnalystUS Average
Salary
6.0

Avg. Salary $77,425

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.9

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.78%

Asian 7.43%

Black or African American 9.07%

Hispanic or Latino 12.44%

Unknown 4.41%

White 65.88%

Gender

female 47.76%

male 52.24%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Buying analyst career paths

Key steps to become a buying analyst

  1. Explore buying analyst education requirements

    Most common buying analyst degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.6 %

    Associate

    11.9 %

    Master's

    10.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific buying analyst skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Purchase Orders19.99%
    Delivery Schedules5.78%
    MRP5.65%
    Expedite4.65%
    Cost Savings4.58%
  3. Complete relevant buying analyst training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New buying analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a buying analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real buying analyst resumes.
  4. Research buying analyst duties and responsibilities

    • Support the implementation of vendor manage inventory programs for MRO relate commodities.
    • Develop, implement and control MRO relate commodities cost saving initiatives in alignment with business unit goals.
    • Submit, receive and analyze RFQ.
    • Request RFP's and negotiate contracts.
  5. Prepare your buying analyst resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your buying analyst resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a buying analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable buying analyst resume templates

    Build a professional buying analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your buying analyst resume.
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
    Buying Analyst Resume
  6. Apply for buying analyst jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a buying analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first buying analyst job

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Average buying analyst salary

The average buying analyst salary in the United States is $77,425 per year or $37 per hour. Buying analyst salaries range between $52,000 and $113,000 per year.

Average buying analyst salary
$77,425 Yearly
$37.22 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do buying analysts rate their job?

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Buying analyst reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

To be involved in negotiations


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

Negotiating with suppliers, influencing others, solving problems, making a positive difference to the company's bottom line.

Cons

Constant stress, lack of respect from other departments, lack of resources, poor advancement opportunities.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Cons

In most cases I'm finding you need a college degree to do what I did without it. I know there is a company out there that would train me. I could be an asset if given a chance.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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