Purchasing agent vs purchasing supervisor

The differences between purchasing agents and purchasing supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, a purchasing supervisor has an average salary of $68,702, which is higher than the $51,950 average annual salary of a purchasing agent.

The top three skills for a purchasing agent include purchase orders, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for a purchasing supervisor are purchase orders, MRP, and supplier performance.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing supervisor overview

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Supervisor
Yearly salary	$51,950	$68,702
Hourly rate	$24.98	$33.03
Growth rate	-	-6%
Number of jobs	45,856	19,412
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
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 supervisor do?

A purchasing supervisor orders supplies, equipment, and materials from vendors by buyers. The purchasing supervisors assess, select, and build relationships with the vendors. They do the negotiation for the contracts of goods and services. It is their job to review the purchase orders for accuracy and ensure to obtain the best prices. The skills supervisors need to develop include marketing, communication, leadership, and management. They should also know about purchasing products and services.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing supervisor salary

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

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Supervisor
Average salary	$51,950	$68,702
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $72,000	Between $45,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	California
Best paying company	Abiomed	CDW
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between purchasing agent and purchasing supervisor education

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

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Purchasing agent vs purchasing supervisor demographics

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

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Supervisor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%
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, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between purchasing agent and purchasing supervisor 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.

Purchasing supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage increasing procurement demands of inventory/supplies for manufacturing activities base on an ERP MRP system.
Lead and analyze all RFQ's, RFI's and RFP's from different qualify vendors.
Interview current and prospective suppliers to determine supplier capabilities, logistics and inventory control and management while negotiate delivery terms.
Review requisitions and RFP's, obtain quotations, negotiate pricing, examine bids and award contracts.
Assist in the yearly budgeting process including RFQ's and establishing contracts both locally and at the corporate level.
Direct large projects by creating RFP's, cost negotiation, and bid analysis on specifications and budget cost provided.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing supervisor skills

Common purchasing agent skills

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

Common purchasing supervisor skills

Purchase Orders, 20%
MRP, 5%
Supplier Performance, 4%
Logistics, 4%
Corrective Action, 4%
On-Time Delivery, 4%

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Purchasing Agent
Purchasing Agent vs Purchasing Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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