Purchasing agent vs supply chain coordinator

The differences between purchasing agents and supply chain coordinators 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 supply chain coordinator. Additionally, a purchasing agent has an average salary of $51,950, which is higher than the $50,728 average annual salary of a supply chain coordinator.

The top three skills for a purchasing agent include purchase orders, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for a supply chain coordinator are supply chain, customer service, and logistics.

Purchasing agent vs supply chain coordinator overview

	Purchasing Agent	Supply Chain Coordinator
Yearly salary	$51,950	$50,728
Hourly rate	$24.98	$24.39
Growth rate	-	28%
Number of jobs	45,856	33,654
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	48	47
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 supply chain coordinator do?

A supply chain coordinator is an individual who is responsible for managing inventory and supply sources to support a company's manufacturing and anticipated demand. Supply chain coordinators must assist in the purchase of materials and services and follow-up with vendors to ensure that the purchase orders have the correct price, freight charge, and delivery date. They coordinate with the quality assurance (QA) inspectors to ensure the quality of the purchased parts and services. Under the directive orders from the logistics manager, supply chain coordinators must also perform inventory cycle counts.

Purchasing agent vs supply chain coordinator salary

Purchasing agents and supply chain coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Purchasing Agent	Supply Chain Coordinator
Average salary	$51,950	$50,728
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $72,000	Between $33,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Palmdale, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	California
Best paying company	Abiomed	Stepan
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between purchasing agent and supply chain coordinator education

There are a few differences between a purchasing agent and a supply chain coordinator in terms of educational background:

	Purchasing Agent	Supply Chain Coordinator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Purchasing agent vs supply chain coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between purchasing agents' and supply chain coordinators' demographics:

	Purchasing Agent	Supply Chain Coordinator
Average age	48	47
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0%
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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	10%

Differences between purchasing agent and supply chain coordinator 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.

Supply chain coordinator example responsibilities.

Manage production and warehouse teams ensuring DOD policies and corporate rules and regulations compliance while exceeding government nuclear facility audit standards.
Monitor MRP health and initiate corrective action when necessary.
Develop, update and maintain procedures and work instructions to reflect current ISO practices.
Maintain the approved supplier database in ERP system, and conduct annual supplier scorecards review meeting.
Surpass understanding and strict adherence of the guidelines set forth by OSHA, FDA regulations and ISO.
Review MRP weekly to order paper, boxes, band wrap, glue, inks as needed to meet production requirements.

Purchasing agent vs supply chain coordinator skills

Common purchasing agent skills

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

Common supply chain coordinator skills

Supply Chain, 23%
Customer Service, 11%
Logistics, 10%
Purchase Orders, 7%
Management System, 3%
Inventory Management, 3%

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Purchasing Agent
Purchasing Agent vs Supply Chain Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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