Purchasing agent vs senior buyer

The differences between purchasing agents and senior 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 senior buyer. Additionally, a senior buyer has an average salary of $79,848, 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 senior buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and MRP.

Purchasing agent vs senior buyer overview

	Purchasing Agent	Senior Buyer
Yearly salary	$51,950	$79,848
Hourly rate	$24.98	$38.39
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	45,856	27,412
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 senior buyer do?

The job of senior buyers, or also known as purchasing agents, is to meet the material needs of an organization. They are responsible for finding suppliers, arranging the distribution to several retail outlets, and supervising other purchasing agents. They also look for new product streams and establish procurement strategies. Senior buyers typically begin their careers as assistant buyers or junior purchasing agents. Most employers usually prefer those with college degrees in marketing, business, and economics.

Purchasing agent vs senior buyer salary

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

	Purchasing Agent	Senior Buyer
Average salary	$51,950	$79,848
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $72,000	Between $56,000 And $112,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Maryland	New York
Best paying company	Abiomed	Capgemini
Best paying industry	Technology	Hospitality

Differences between purchasing agent and senior buyer education

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

	Purchasing Agent	Senior Buyer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Purchasing agent vs senior buyer demographics

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

	Purchasing Agent	Senior Buyer
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3%
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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between purchasing agent and senior 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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Senior buyer example responsibilities.

Manage assigned commodities by communicating MRP changes and forecasts to minimize excess inventory to achieve optimum inventory levels.
Manage and analyze supplier OTD and keep in constant communication with suppliers to help improve delivery.
Manage ECO process with overseas manufacturing partner.
Lead Made2Manage ERP system development and implementation to improve effectiveness and efficiency of inventory.
Manage invoice reconciliations, RFQ management, system database review and regular inventory reporting.
Manage commodities at establish re-order point levels meeting forecast for production scale-up and revenue goals.

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Purchasing agent vs senior buyer skills

Common purchasing agent skills

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

Common senior buyer skills

Supply Chain, 17%
Purchase Orders, 11%
MRP, 4%
Supplier Performance, 4%
Commodities, 4%
Continuous Improvement, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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