How To Become A Purchasing Program Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a purchasing program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

A purchasing program manager is a supply chain expert that ensures cost-effective and valuable purchases on behalf of the organization.

The purchasing program manager has the responsibility to determine the need and the procurement process of a product or service and explore available options and prospects before settling a contract and proceeding with the procurement. They also play a strategic role regarding plan development and execution, supply chain partners and internal stakeholders coordination, and vendor assessment. They evaluate the risks of a project concerning the given objectives and time frame. And their tasks do not stop when the contracts are signed. They will still be directly involved with the project transitions.

Becoming a purchasing program manager requires a degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or other areas of study related to supply chain management. Some companies favor candidates with a master's degree. Significant experience as a purchasing agent or a buyer, along with participation in certificate programs, will boost the chance to seize this position.

What's a day at work look like for a purchasing program manager?

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

Program Director & Assistant Professor, Maryville University

A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!

ScorePurchasing Program ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.0

Avg. Salary $76,255

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.1

Growth rate -6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.30%

Asian 7.45%

Black or African American 9.09%

Hispanic or Latino 12.32%

Unknown 3.82%

White 67.02%

Gender

female 40.71%

male 59.29%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a purchasing program manager

Explore purchasing program manager education requirements

Most common purchasing program manager degrees

Bachelor's

68.2 %

Master's

12.9 %

Associate

12.4 %

Start to develop specific purchasing program manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Supply Chain	19.20%
Logistics	11.85%
RFQ	9.52%
Supplier Quality	9.44%
On-Time Delivery	6.50%

Complete relevant purchasing program manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New purchasing program managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a purchasing program manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real purchasing program manager resumes.

Research purchasing program manager duties and responsibilities

Define and manage overall clear to build process (CTB).
Manage material and subcontract EVMS, budget, inventory, forecasting and procurement contracts.
Manage all earn value (EVMS) requirements for labor, purchase materials and subcontracts.
Build and manage the strategic planning, KPI, annual material cost budget, and department budget.

Prepare your purchasing program manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your purchasing program manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a purchasing program manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable purchasing program manager resume templates

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