How to hire a procurement buyer

How to hire a procurement buyer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step procurement buyer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a procurement buyer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new procurement buyer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a procurement buyer do?

Post a procurement buyer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the procurement buyer you need to hire. Certain procurement buyer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A procurement buyer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, procurement buyers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents procurement buyer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Procurement Buyer	Description	Hourly rate
   Procurement Buyer	Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review the quality of products.	$20-41
   Supply Chain Analyst	A supply chain analyst is responsible for handling the supply chain operations of an organization, aligning processes, and identifying areas of improvement to initiate procedures and create smooth supply delivery transactions. Supply chain analysts monitor the adequacy of stock inventory, including the trends in the market industry, to meet the public demands and ensuring that the business provides those interests... Show more	$24-43
   Landman	Landmen are referred to as the public-facing side of a gas, mineral, and oil exploration and production team. They are professionals who interact and negotiate directly with landowners for the acquisition of gas and oil drilling leases... Show more	$25-61

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Purchase Orders
   • Supplier Performance
   • Logistics
   • POS
   • Procurement Process
   • Cost Reduction
   • ERP
   • Strategic Sourcing
   • Cost Savings
   • Inventory Management
   • MRP
   • Commodities
   • Strong Negotiation
   • On-Time Delivery

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead development of indirect spend category management including executing and managing RFP's.
   • Manage activities of purchasing, production planning and scheduling, inventory management, warehousing and logistics.
   • Develop a working relationship with numerous suppliers, performing excellent customer service throughout the RFI, RFP, RFQ process.
   • Monitor and adjust MRP parts policy report on a regular basis.
   • Review and prepare evaluation of RFP data regarding fleet services providers.
   • Minimize production shortages through buying to MRP needs and tactical review of demand.

   More procurement buyer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your procurement buyer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A procurement buyer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a procurement buyer in Iowa may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level procurement buyer usually earns less than a senior-level procurement buyer. Additionally, a procurement buyer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average procurement buyer salary

   $61,874yearly

   $29.75 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level procurement buyer salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average procurement buyer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$69,099	$33
   2	New York	$67,436	$32
   3	Illinois	$67,040	$32
   4	New Jersey	$65,327	$31
   5	Michigan	$62,850	$30
   6	Missouri	$61,084	$29
   7	Massachusetts	$59,097	$28
   8	Pennsylvania	$58,951	$28
   9	Florida	$56,952	$27
   10	Texas	$55,839	$27
   11	North Carolina	$55,179	$27
   12	Kansas	$54,400	$26
   13	Colorado	$53,601	$26
   14	Ohio	$51,395	$25
   15	Arizona	$50,071	$24
   16	Tennessee	$49,457	$24
   17	Indiana	$49,211	$24

   Average procurement buyer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Invesco	$103,943	$49.97
   2	AlixPartners	$92,369	$44.41
   3	Western Digital	$85,908	$41.30	14
   4	Shiseido	$76,018	$36.55
   5	Corning Incorporated	$71,378	$34.32	10
   6	Whirlpool	$69,896	$33.60	2
   7	John B. Sanfilippo & Son	$68,548	$32.96
   8	Turbocam International	$68,105	$32.74
   9	Agilent Technologies	$67,649	$32.52
   10	Schneider Electric Industrial Services	$67,468	$32.44	3
   11	BioCryst Pharmaceuticals	$67,110	$32.26
   12	Pactiv	$67,097	$32.26	1
   13	Praxair	$66,762	$32.10
   14	Hearthside Food Solutions	$66,611	$32.02
   15	Sapiens	$66,546	$31.99
   16	A.C.Coy	$66,323	$31.89	1
   17	Bechtel Plant Machinery	$65,921	$31.69
   18	Schnitzer Steel	$65,828	$31.65
   19	Modine Manufacturing	$65,366	$31.43	2
   20	Sysco	$65,274	$31.38	9

4. Writing a procurement buyer job description

   A job description for a procurement buyer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a procurement buyer job description:

   Procurement buyer job description example

   Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Monster Jam , Monster Energy Supercross, Disney On Ice, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Sesame Street Live!, Jurassic World Live Tour, Kawasaki and Spin Master. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 75 countries and on six continents. Visit feldentertainment.com for more information.
   
   Successful candidates must be fully vaccinated or be qualified for a medical or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination is required and may be submitted via the Company's secure website. Florida employees may request exemption pursuant to FL House Bill No. 1-B. Fully vaccinated is defined as 14 days after the second dose of a two dose vaccine or 14 days after the single dose of a one dose vaccine.
   
   Please note that all Mitigation Guidelines for touring employees remain in effect as do any applicable venue, local, state, and/or international requirements, rules, regulations, and/or laws in territories outside of Florida.)
   
   Performs the day-to-day purchasing duties associated with managing multiple vendor lines within product categories and supports the traveling units as assigned. Designs and recommends strategies to enhance product quality and reduce costs. Holds responsibility for suppliers within the buyer's product category or assigned Shows based on established Department goals. Remains responsive to changes in operations and implements plans to maximize performance and results. Continually strives to exceed customer expectations.
   
   Essential Job FunctionsManage multiple product lines and suppliers. Identify and execute opportunities to expand or leverage existing product or services capabilities. Lead cross-functional teams in the development of cost reduction activities. Create POs and expedite shipments, as necessary, to make certain that customers receive product and/or services in a timely manner. Maintain accurate vendor information in Lawson and makes certain that part numbers loaded under their product category are entered and maintained properly.Maintains defined and/or assigned specific computer records, as appropriate.Negotiate with vendors to enhance FELD's profitability by cost saving initiatives. Report on cost savings on a quarterly basis. Minimize financial exposure to FELD based on Procurement best practices and sound payment decisions.Develops and maintains good rapport with all departments, as well as suppliers. Provide responsive, courteous support to end users and customers. Identify, develop and support the continuous improvement of product or services management process.
   
   Job RequirementsFour-year college degree in a related field or equivalent experience.3+ years purchasing or accounting experience. Working knowledge of purchasing concepts.2+ years of practical experience in the entertainment industry is a plus.CPM, SPSM or advanced education in Procurement, Logisitics or Supply Chain Management is a plus.
   
   Skills & AbilitiesExcellent computer skills: Integrated Financial System and/or ERP Software experience, such as Lawson, J.D. Edwards, etc. and Microsoft Office proficiency.Product and utilization knowledge helpful.Solid analytical skills and strong results orientation.Excellent facilitative and communication skills.Good reading, writing, math and grammar skills.In Office Position.
   Feld Entertainment is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our employees, customers, and partners worldwide. We celebrate diversity and encourage our profoundly talented workforce to express themselves proudly. Our successful business model requires different perspectives and voices so that we can create the incredible live shows we put on. Come join us and help us light up the world.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find procurement buyers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any procurement buyers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level procurement buyers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your procurement buyer job on Zippia to find and recruit procurement buyer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit procurement buyers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new procurement buyer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the procurement buyer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new procurement buyer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a procurement buyer?