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Purchasing manager vs contracts manager

The differences between purchasing managers and contracts managers 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 manager. Additionally, a purchasing manager has an average salary of $98,118, which is higher than the $72,691 average annual salary of a contracts manager.

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

Purchasing manager vs contracts manager overview

Purchasing ManagerContracts Manager
Yearly salary$98,118$72,691
Hourly rate$47.17$34.95
Growth rate-6%-6%
Number of jobs30,43013,218
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 manager do?

A contract manager is responsible for finalizing contract agreements between the company and its clients, revising documents, creating procurement proposals, and managing breach of contracts immediately. Contract managers respond to clients' inquiries and concerns about the contract's terms, conditions, and adjustment requests. They should be highly knowledgeable with legal terms and legislation regulations, ensuring that documents align with their objectives. The contract manager should also stay updated with the latest trends to meet contract demands, identify more business opportunities to boost revenues, and achieve profitability goals.

Purchasing manager vs contracts manager salary

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

Purchasing ManagerContracts Manager
Average salary$98,118$72,691
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $136,000Between $45,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMaineCalifornia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between purchasing manager and contracts manager education

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

Purchasing ManagerContracts Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Purchasing manager vs contracts manager demographics

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

Purchasing ManagerContracts Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 67.0% Female, 33.0%Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0%
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, 12.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between purchasing manager and contracts manager 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 manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage ISO requirements for sales and marketing.
  • Manage IDIQ contracts including task and delivery orders.
  • Manage RFI's and change orders through close out.
  • Manage all material for a non MRP driven program manually.
  • Coach and direct the IPT for use of proper policies to achieve goals.
  • Lead two DCAA audits for a $60 million project resulting in no-cost findings during tenure as manager.
    • Show more

Purchasing manager vs contracts manager 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 manager skills
  • Contract Management, 9%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Proposal Preparation, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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