Purchasing agent vs purchasing buyer

The differences between purchasing agents and purchasing buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a purchasing agent and a purchasing buyer. Additionally, a purchasing agent has an average salary of $51,950, which is higher than the $47,471 average annual salary of a purchasing buyer.

The top three skills for a purchasing agent include purchase orders, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for a purchasing buyer are purchase orders, logistics, and cost savings.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing buyer overview

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Buyer
Yearly salary	$51,950	$47,471
Hourly rate	$24.98	$22.82
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	45,856	21,158
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a purchasing agent do?

A purchasing agent's general task is keeping purchase records and making sure that there won't be any discrepancies with the handling of orders. The purchasing agent should be responsible for the order processing and payment collection. Purchasing agents should also be proficient in interpreting and evaluating data, researching on best marketing sources and alternatives, issuing required documentation for suppliers, as well as managing customer queries as needed. Being a purchasing agent requires critical-thinking skills in assessing concerns and providing solutions should there be any possible negotiation conflicts.

What does a purchasing buyer do?

In a retail setting, a purchasing buyer is primarily responsible for devising strategies for procuring supplies, ensuring that it aligns with the company's needs and standards. They are also responsible for conducting thorough marketing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather and process documentation, liaising and negotiating with vendors and suppliers, and keeping track of all purchasing orders to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Furthermore, as a purchasing buyer, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions and submit regular reports to supervisors.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing buyer salary

Purchasing agents and purchasing buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Buyer
Average salary	$51,950	$47,471
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $72,000	Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Goleta, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	California
Best paying company	Abiomed	Aramco Services Company
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between purchasing agent and purchasing buyer education

There are a few differences between a purchasing agent and a purchasing buyer in terms of educational background:

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Buyer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Purchasing agent vs purchasing buyer demographics

Here are the differences between purchasing agents' and purchasing buyers' demographics:

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Buyer
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between purchasing agent and purchasing buyer duties and responsibilities

Purchasing agent example responsibilities.

Reorganize MRO to manage inventory more efficiently.
Utilize MaCola ERP system to process and manage purchase requisitions and purchase orders in coordination with manufacturing forecast.
Process purchase orders from electronically generate RFQ'S.
Develop programs with suppliers to ensure that commodities meet engineering and quality specifications while maintaining on-time delivery.
Prepare purchase orders, RFP's and RFB's, advertise solicitations, review responses and approve contract acceptance.
Send out RFQ's and award orders to the best fit and price vendor to ensure manufacturing meets critical due dates.

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Purchasing buyer example responsibilities.

Manage the development of RFP process per departmental and legal requirements.
Create and manage requisitions, code billing statements and reconcile monthly bills in PeopleSoft.
Manage logistics and materials receive for appropriate quantities, timeliness and accuracy to complete project project.
Complete request for quotation (RFQ), design reviews, and advance product quality planning (APQP).
Used MRP to track and develop orders for electronic and mechanical commodities for high volume 32,000 a day unit product.
Make purchasing decisions base on the examination and recommendations of the ERP planning system and issuing and maintaining supplier purchase orders.

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Purchasing agent vs purchasing buyer skills

Common purchasing agent skills

Purchase Orders, 30%
Customer Service, 12%
Logistics, 5%
Inventory Control, 4%
MRP, 3%
Cost Savings, 3%

Common purchasing buyer skills

Purchase Orders, 29%
Logistics, 6%
Cost Savings, 5%
ERP, 4%
MRP, 4%
RFQ, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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