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The differences between directors of supply chain management and purchasing managers 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 supply chain management and a purchasing manager. Additionally, a director of supply chain management has an average salary of $131,875, which is higher than the $98,118 average annual salary of a purchasing manager.
The top three skills for a director of supply chain management include supply chain, logistics and chain management. The most important skills for a purchasing manager are supply chain, strategic sourcing, and project management.
| Director Of Supply Chain Management | Purchasing Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $131,875 | $98,118 |
| Hourly rate | $63.40 | $47.17 |
| Growth rate | - | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 91,983 | 30,430 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A supply chain management director is responsible for overseeing the supply chain management operations by managing the distribution process and material delivery. Supply chain management directors coordinate with the suppliers and vendors to negotiate contracts and conditions, monitor the production deadline, confirm shipment details, and resolve distribution delays. They also conduct data and statistical analysis to identify methodologies that would increase the staff's productivity and efficiency. A supply chain management director analyzes financial transactions, manage cost-reduction expenses, and discuss production reports to the senior management.
A purchasing manager is responsible for organizing and managing products to order or sell. Purchasing managers review product specifications, negotiate pricing details with the vendors, evaluate and choose the best suppliers, and assist purchasing agents. Purchase managers are also responsible for resolving order processing issues and analyzing current market trends to determine which products to purchase. A purchasing manager must have excellent decision-making and strategical skills to examine effects, inspect defective items, and create an in-depth analysis of customers' needs to improve their performance and sales.
Directors of supply chain management and purchasing managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Supply Chain Management | Purchasing Manager | |
| Average salary | $131,875 | $98,118 |
| Salary range | Between $94,000 And $184,000 | Between $70,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a director of supply chain management and a purchasing manager in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Supply Chain Management | Purchasing Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of supply chain management' and purchasing managers' demographics:
| Director Of Supply Chain Management | Purchasing Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% | Male, 67.0% Female, 33.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 11% |