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Director of purchasing vs logistics director

The differences between directors of purchasing and logistics directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a director of purchasing and a logistics director. Additionally, a logistics director has an average salary of $108,828, which is higher than the $106,945 average annual salary of a director of purchasing.

The top three skills for a director of purchasing include supply chain, purchase orders and product development. The most important skills for a logistics director are supply chain, continuous improvement, and logistics operations.

Director of purchasing vs logistics director overview

Director Of PurchasingLogistics Director
Yearly salary$106,945$108,828
Hourly rate$51.42$52.32
Growth rate-6%6%
Number of jobs17,84733,997
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4745
Years of experience66

What does a director of purchasing do?

A director of purchasing oversees the procedures related to buying resources and supplies, directing operations from planning to execution while adhering to standards and company policies. They primarily perform research and assessments to understand project needs in terms of price, quality, and delivery time. They also identify ideal suppliers, negotiate deals, and build positive business relationships. Additionally, a director of purchasing has the authority to make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities among staff, oversee employment procedures within the department, and solve issues and concerns when any arise.

What does a logistics director do?

A logistics director spearheads and oversees a company's logistics operations. They are primarily responsible for setting goals and guidelines, managing the budgets and timelines, researching new opportunities, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of operations, and implementing solutions against problem areas. They must also maintain positive relationships with key clients and external parties, such as distributors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead employees while implementing the company's policies and regulations, recommending new ones as needed.

Director of purchasing vs logistics director salary

Directors of purchasing and logistics directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of PurchasingLogistics Director
Average salary$106,945$108,828
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $166,000Between $70,000 And $167,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Leandro, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyRivianBarnes & Noble
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between director of purchasing and logistics director education

There are a few differences between a director of purchasing and a logistics director in terms of educational background:

Director Of PurchasingLogistics Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Director of purchasing vs logistics director demographics

Here are the differences between directors of purchasing' and logistics directors' demographics:

Director Of PurchasingLogistics Director
Average age4745
Gender ratioMale, 75.1% Female, 24.9%Male, 83.5% Female, 16.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%5%

Differences between director of purchasing and logistics director duties and responsibilities

Director of purchasing example responsibilities.

  • Manage all aspects of the RFQ process, contracts, cost and rebate negotiations, and awarding of business.
  • Manage out-bound logistics services and third-party logistics providers to expand the range of commodities need to support automobile and aerospace manufacturing.
  • Develop standards and implement procedures for materials planning, product acquisition, inventory control, material distribution and logistics management.
  • Implement cost controls using commodity segmentation, vendor KPI's and cost justification base on key market indicators.
  • Monitor KPI indicators such as inventory turns, supplier on time delivery, inventory cycle count accuracy, and PPV.
  • Develop RFP (request for proposal) analysis, negotiation strategy, contract drafting and agreement execution plans on all contracts.
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Logistics director example responsibilities.

  • Lead the design and implantation of new MRP system improvements.
  • Lead internal logistics team to gain ISO certification plus implement ISO specs for all 3rd party logistics providers.
  • Lead project for developing standardize FDA approve method (GCP standard) for labeling, packaging and storing medication.
  • Manage all relationships with freight payment, TMS software, outside storage, carriers, and all third party logistics providers.
  • Select and lead implementation of ERP business systems and engineering document control system.
  • Lead organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which result in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.
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Director of purchasing vs logistics director skills

Common director of purchasing skills
  • Supply Chain, 18%
  • Purchase Orders, 9%
  • Product Development, 7%
  • Vendor Relations, 6%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Cost Savings, 4%
Common logistics director skills
  • Supply Chain, 16%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Logistics Operations, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

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