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The differences between global supply chain managers 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 global supply chain manager and a purchasing manager. Additionally, a global supply chain manager has an average salary of $122,423, which is higher than the $98,118 average annual salary of a purchasing manager.
The top three skills for a global supply chain manager include supply chain, continuous improvement and demand planning. The most important skills for a purchasing manager are supply chain, strategic sourcing, and project management.
| Global Supply Chain Manager | Purchasing Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $122,423 | $98,118 |
| Hourly rate | $58.86 | $47.17 |
| Growth rate | - | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 35,887 | 30,430 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A global supply chain manager is responsible for supervising the overall supply management operations across branches globally and monitoring the logistics details and processes to prevent distribution and manufacturing delays. Global supply chain managers identify cost-reduction resources by negotiating and coordinating with trusted suppliers and vendors to provide high-quality materials according to client needs. They also determine inefficiency with delivery procedures and increase efficiency by improving shipment systems and maximizing the staff's productivity. A global supply chain manager reviews the record of inventories and ensures the adequacy of items on hand.
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.
Global supply chain managers and purchasing managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Global Supply Chain Manager | Purchasing Manager | |
| Average salary | $122,423 | $98,118 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $170,000 | Between $70,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Rafael, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a global supply chain manager and a purchasing manager in terms of educational background:
| Global Supply Chain Manager | Purchasing Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between global supply chain managers' and purchasing managers' demographics:
| Global Supply Chain Manager | Purchasing Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4% | 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, 65.9% 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% |