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The differences between senior sourcing specialists and senior buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a senior sourcing specialist and a senior buyer. Additionally, a senior buyer has an average salary of $79,848, which is higher than the $79,213 average annual salary of a senior sourcing specialist.
The top three skills for a senior sourcing specialist include linkedin, HR and applicant tracking systems. The most important skills for a senior buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and MRP.
| Senior Sourcing Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,213 | $79,848 |
| Hourly rate | $38.08 | $38.39 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 7,764 | 27,412 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The job of a senior sourcing specialist is to help companies implement more effective processes and systems to reduce costs and increase profitability. You will be responsible for negotiating with suppliers to procure materials, products, and services at the best possible price using your in-depth knowledge of their industry and strategic sourcing strategies. As a senior source specialist, you are expected to develop and implement inventory optimization strategies across the company. You will also need to find or develop solutions to improve company outsourcing and spending.
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.
Senior sourcing specialists and senior buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Sourcing Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Average salary | $79,213 | $79,848 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $103,000 | Between $56,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Capgemini |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a senior sourcing specialist and a senior buyer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Sourcing Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior sourcing specialists' and senior buyers' demographics:
| Senior Sourcing Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2% | Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |