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What does a Purchasing Manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Purchasing manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real purchasing manager resumes:

  • 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.
  • Core team member for P2P, ERP procurement processes, item-master materials standardization project.
  • Prepare weekly payroll for all field operations employees.
  • Use materials management system to keep track of BOM's and MRP.
  • Participate in supplier development activity for new DOD and NASA programs requirements.
  • Locate sources of supply for steel and aluminum including outsource fabrication, painting & plating services.
  • Reduce unsolicited credits from $6mm + to under $100k per annum using six sigma approach.
  • Identify, document, and communicate process inefficiencies in outside tests, construction agreements, and POs.
  • Conceptualize, plan, and execute a lean six sigma project for the establishment of in-house blending capabilities.
  • Facilitate WBS conversion of POs on several projects, where WBS numbers change, and collaborate on end-of-year project accruals.

Purchasing manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Purchasing Managers are proficient in Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Decisionmaking skills, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Purchasing Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Supply Chain, 15%

    Reported to Global Vice President of Procurement leading commercial negotiations, supplier selection, supplier development and supply chain management projects.

  • Strategic Sourcing, 7%

    Lead the collaborative strategic sourcing efforts for electrical power generation products and services required by several public utilities for their operations.

  • Project Management, 5%

    Conceptualized and established new project management department to deliver more focused support to customers including scheduling, delivery, and deployment.

  • Supplier Performance, 5%

    Established and managed key supplier performance goals and objectives; communicated periodic results vs. plan and managed top-level continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Continuous Improvement, 4%

    Developed a high performing supply base and strategic partnerships focused on continuous improvement, delivery of innovation, and supply continuity.

  • Purchase Orders, 4%

    Negotiated contracts and purchase orders with international vendors to keep manufacturing plants in Mexico and Japan fully operational at all times.

Most purchasing managers use their skills in "supply chain," "strategic sourcing," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential purchasing manager responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a purchasing manager to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "when evaluating suppliers, purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must analyze their options and choose a supplier with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service." Additionally, a purchasing manager resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed domestic and in-direct supplier relationships to shift business to alternative markets for total cost savings and product elevation. "

Decisionmaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling purchasing manager duties is decisionmaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must have the ability to make informed and timely decisions, choosing products that they think will sell." According to a purchasing manager resume, here's how purchasing managers can utilize decisionmaking skills in their job responsibilities: "led the make-buy decisionmaking process and supply chain definition for all new components, sub-assemblies and assemblies of new products. "

Math skills. This is an important skill for purchasing managers to perform their duties. For an example of how purchasing manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must possess math skills." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a purchasing manager: "experience and enthusiasm in global sourcing supply chain with quantitative results. ".

Negotiating skills. For certain purchasing manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "negotiating skills." The day-to-day duties of a purchasing manager rely on this skill, as "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what purchasing managers do: "improved supplier relationships by finding and negotiating effective alternatives to ensure consistent pricing and service. "

Most common purchasing manager skills

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Compare different purchasing managers

Purchasing manager vs. Senior buyer

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.

The annual salary of senior buyers is $18,270 lower than the average salary of purchasing managers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both purchasing manager and senior buyer positions are skilled in supply chain, strategic sourcing, and project management.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between purchasing managers and senior buyer. For instance, purchasing manager responsibilities require skills such as "strong analytical," "vendor relations," "excellent interpersonal," and "market trends." Whereas a senior buyer is skilled in "vendor relationships," "supplier quality," "electrical components," and "delivery dates." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Senior buyers earn the highest salaries when working in the hospitality industry, with an average yearly salary of $81,144. On the other hand, purchasing managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $108,598.The education levels that senior buyers earn slightly differ from purchasing managers. In particular, senior buyers are 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a purchasing manager. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Purchasing manager vs. Director, procurement

The responsibilities of a procurement director revolve around ensuring the efficient and smooth flow of supplies within the company, developing procurement strategies for optimal services and operations, assessing risks, and overseeing the implementation of new policies and regulations in the company. It is essential to coordinate with analysts to identify areas with potential opportunities or those needing improvements. Moreover, a director, procurement may directly communicate with stakeholders or higher-ranking officials, participate in recruiting new members of the workforce, and create programs for profit growth and significant results.

On average, directors, procurement earn a $41,940 higher salary than purchasing managers a year.A few skills overlap for purchasing managers and directors, procurement. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "strategic sourcing," "supplier performance," and "continuous improvement. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, purchasing manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "supply chain," "project management," "supplier selection," and "product development." Meanwhile, a director, procurement has duties that require skills in areas such as "lean manufacturing," "procurement strategies," "oversight," and "procurement function." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Directors, procurement may earn a higher salary than purchasing managers, but directors, procurement earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $148,169. On the other hand, purchasing managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $108,598.directors, procurement earn higher levels of education than purchasing managers in general. They're 8.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Purchasing manager vs. Procurement officer

A procurement officer is primarily in charge of overseeing the procurement of supplies and equipment for an organization, prioritizing cost-efficiency and quality. It is their duty to manage the company's supply inventory, compile and analyze procurement requests, develop purchase plans, handle purchase procedures, and maintain records of all transactions, producing reports regularly. They must also liaise and negotiate with vendors and suppliers, building positive relationships with them. Furthermore, as a procurement officer, it is essential to lead the procurement team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

An average procurement officer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of purchasing managers. The difference in salaries amounts to procurement officers earning a $24,550 lower average salary than purchasing managers.purchasing managers and procurement officers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "strategic sourcing," "supplier performance," and "purchase orders," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a purchasing manager is likely to be skilled in "supply chain," "project management," "continuous improvement," and "supplier management," while a typical procurement officer is skilled in "purchase requisitions," "contract management," "procurement procedures," and "procurement policies."

Procurement officers make a very good living in the retail industry with an average annual salary of $74,267. On the other hand, purchasing managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $108,598.Most procurement officers achieve a similar degree level compared to purchasing managers. For example, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Purchasing manager vs. Contracts director

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.

Contracts directors typically earn lower pay than purchasing managers. On average, contracts directors earn a $24,767 lower salary per year.According to resumes from purchasing managers and contracts directors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "strategic sourcing," "project management," and "logistics. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between purchasing managers and contracts directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a purchasing manager might have more use for skills like "supply chain," "supplier performance," "continuous improvement," and "purchase orders." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of contracts directors require skills like "contract management," "oversight," "contract administration," and "risk management. "

In general, contracts directors earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $87,719. The highest-paying industry for a purchasing manager is the technology industry.In general, contracts directors hold higher degree levels compared to purchasing managers. Contracts directors are 7.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of purchasing manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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