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Purchasing manager vs contracts director

The differences between purchasing managers and contracts directors 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 manager and a contracts director. Additionally, a purchasing manager has an average salary of $98,118, which is higher than the $73,351 average annual salary of a contracts director.

The top three skills for a purchasing manager include supply chain, strategic sourcing and project management. The most important skills for a contracts director are contract management, oversight, and contract terms.

Purchasing manager vs contracts director overview

Purchasing ManagerContracts Director
Yearly salary$98,118$73,351
Hourly rate$47.17$35.26
Growth rate-6%-6%
Number of jobs30,43012,378
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a purchasing manager do?

A purchasing manager is responsible for organizing and managing products to order or sell. Purchasing managers review product specifications, negotiate pricing details with the vendors, evaluate and choose the best suppliers, and assist purchasing agents. Purchase managers are also responsible for resolving order processing issues and analyzing current market trends to determine which products to purchase. A purchasing manager must have excellent decision-making and strategical skills to examine effects, inspect defective items, and create an in-depth analysis of customers' needs to improve their performance and sales.

What does a contracts director do?

A contract director is primarily in charge of developing and negotiating contracts with clients and partners, ensuring adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing extensive research and analysis to foresee potential advantages and disadvantages, coordinating with analysts and other experts, monitoring the progress of operations to ensure contract compliance of both parties, and overseeing the development of proposals within the organization. Furthermore, as a contract director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing the mission and vision of the company.

Purchasing manager vs contracts director salary

Purchasing managers and contracts directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Purchasing ManagerContracts Director
Average salary$98,118$73,351
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $136,000Between $46,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMaineCalifornia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncEdwards Lifesciences
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between purchasing manager and contracts director education

There are a few differences between a purchasing manager and a contracts director in terms of educational background:

Purchasing ManagerContracts Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Purchasing manager vs contracts director demographics

Here are the differences between purchasing managers' and contracts directors' demographics:

Purchasing ManagerContracts Director
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 67.0% Female, 33.0%Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between purchasing manager and contracts director duties and responsibilities

Purchasing manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll and accounts payable.
  • Lead major purchasing projects for automotive OEM vehicles.
  • Used RFI, RFP, RFQ techniques to identify, select, and engage with suppliers to ensure competitive market advantage.
  • Establish an integrate MRO supply program which eliminate specific company manage buying, inventory control and warehousing functions.
  • Manage all procurement activities to support manufacturing operations including raw materials, tooling, components and MRO services.
  • Manage several indirect sourcing RFP projects including categories for translation services, payroll services, capital equipment and engineering services.
  • Show more

Contracts director example responsibilities.

  • Manage client audits (EPA, DCAA, local and state agencies) to resolve audit and rate variances.
  • Prepare and execute contractual documents: contracts, NDAs, consulting agreements, and subcontracts to achieve best value for company.
  • Establish managed care Medicaid funding models with several major integrate medical delivery systems.
  • Manage administrative support, handle payroll, develop company policies and procedures manual.
  • Target negotiations for development areas including Medicaid and Medicare products.
  • Review and sign off on final documents for the issuance of RFP solicitations and the execution of contracts and supplemental agreements.
  • Show more

Purchasing manager vs contracts director skills

Common purchasing manager skills
  • Supply Chain, 15%
  • Strategic Sourcing, 7%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Supplier Performance, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
Common contracts director skills
  • Contract Management, 8%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 6%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Project Management, 4%

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