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Purchase analyst vs material analyst

The differences between purchase analysts and material analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a purchase analyst, becoming a material analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a material analyst has an average salary of $66,092, which is higher than the $64,581 average annual salary of a purchase analyst.

The top three skills for a purchase analyst include purchase orders, supplier performance and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a material analyst are supply chain, logistics, and MRP.

Purchase analyst vs material analyst overview

Purchase AnalystMaterial Analyst
Yearly salary$64,581$66,092
Hourly rate$31.05$31.77
Growth rate11%28%
Number of jobs88,54248,758
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4448
Years of experience46

What does a purchase analyst do?

A purchase analyst is responsible for looking at the market outlook and determining what and when to buy when ordering supplies. They are responsible for making an investment in a product or technology, and contracting with vendors. You have varied duties and responsibilities that include researching product prices and comparisons, determining price history and cost-effectiveness, and providing leadership for logistics, resource management decisions, and sourcing. You will also be responsible for purchasing equipment from suppliers and working closely with leadership to develop sourcing strategies.

What does a material analyst do?

A materials analyst is responsible for managing the assets and materials of an organization, ensuring the adequacy of office inventories to support business operational functions. Materials analysts identify cost-reduction materials by coordinating with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. They handle the distribution of goods and order processes according to the company's supply chain management. A materials analyst must have excellent organizational and analytical skills, especially in conducting data and statistical analysis to obtain high-quality materials that would meet the customers' demands.

Purchase analyst vs material analyst salary

Purchase analysts and material analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Purchase AnalystMaterial Analyst
Average salary$64,581$66,092
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $98,000Between $49,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CityMilford, MAUnion City, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyMPS HorticultureMicron Technology
Best paying industryRetailAutomotive

Differences between purchase analyst and material analyst education

There are a few differences between a purchase analyst and a material analyst in terms of educational background:

Purchase AnalystMaterial Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Purchase analyst vs material analyst demographics

Here are the differences between purchase analysts' and material analysts' demographics:

Purchase AnalystMaterial Analyst
Average age4448
Gender ratioMale, 45.8% Female, 54.2%Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage12%7%

Differences between purchase analyst and material analyst duties and responsibilities

Purchase analyst example responsibilities.

  • Transport purchases and contract and manage carriers (freight forwarders in order to arrange and manage the transportation of purchases.
  • Write RFI and RFP documents and manage the process for each.
  • Compile and manage the RFP excel database containing incumbent supplier pricing and alternative supplier pricing.
  • Manage purchasing data within proprietary applications and ERP systems with accuracy.
  • Manage and determine obsolete and/or slow moving inventory for all above mention commodities.
  • Manage factory activities for key commodities encompassing resource management in materials and production.
    • Show more

Material analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage over 120 raw materials on KanBan and daily delivery systems.
  • Create and manage MPS (master production schedule) for MAU factory.
  • Manage and expedite delivery to ensure on time delivery (OTD) to customer.
  • Communicate with suppliers and MRO's on a regular basis to manage projects and ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Manage WIP inventory into/out of multiple distribution plant locations.
  • Experience in integrate logistics and manage hardware material requirements to support production programs that exceed productivity goals.
    • Show more

Purchase analyst vs material analyst skills

Common purchase analyst skills
  • Purchase Orders, 13%
  • Supplier Performance, 11%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • ERP, 5%
  • Cost Analysis, 5%
  • Logistics, 4%
Common material analyst skills
  • Supply Chain, 17%
  • Logistics, 7%
  • MRP, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
  • Part Numbers, 4%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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