Subcontract administrator vs purchasing buyer

The differences between subcontract administrators and purchasing 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 subcontract administrator and a purchasing buyer. Additionally, a subcontract administrator has an average salary of $65,686, which is higher than the $47,471 average annual salary of a purchasing buyer.

The top three skills for a subcontract administrator include price analysis, purchase orders and program management. The most important skills for a purchasing buyer are purchase orders, logistics, and cost savings.

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing buyer overview

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Buyer
Yearly salary	$65,686	$47,471
Hourly rate	$31.58	$22.82
Growth rate	-6%	-
Number of jobs	51,285	21,158
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a subcontract administrator do?

As a subcontract administrator, you will be responsible for identifying the needs of a company and implement measures and initiatives to fulfill those needs. This role will require you to perform a few tasks, including responding to purchase requisitions, soliciting bids and proposals from new and existing sources, and evaluating terms and awarding the subcontract. You are then expected to monitor the subcontract terms, including plans, progress, and payments. You will also be responsible for negotiating additions, modifications, and deletions of subcontracts.

What does a purchasing buyer do?

In a retail setting, a purchasing buyer is primarily responsible for devising strategies for procuring supplies, ensuring that it aligns with the company's needs and standards. They are also responsible for conducting thorough marketing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather and process documentation, liaising and negotiating with vendors and suppliers, and keeping track of all purchasing orders to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Furthermore, as a purchasing buyer, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions and submit regular reports to supervisors.

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing buyer salary

Subcontract administrators and purchasing buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Buyer
Average salary	$65,686	$47,471
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $102,000	Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Goleta, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Urban Institute	Aramco Services Company
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between subcontract administrator and purchasing buyer education

There are a few differences between a subcontract administrator and a purchasing buyer in terms of educational background:

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Buyer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing buyer demographics

Here are the differences between subcontract administrators' and purchasing buyers' demographics:

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Buyer
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between subcontract administrator and purchasing buyer duties and responsibilities

Subcontract administrator example responsibilities.

Coordinate requirements and interface with other division personnel to accomplish timely and cost effective procurement of assign commodities.
Create moderate to complex RFP solicitations and provide additional proposal support including pricing reviews and source selection support.
Administer IDIQ contracts with multiple task orders.
Assist with FFP hardware subcontract in support of NSA contracts.
Negotiate and coordinate additions, deletions, or modifications of DOD subcontracts.
Review and advice on matters of ITAR, FCPA, other Import/Export matters.

Purchasing buyer example responsibilities.

Manage the development of RFP process per departmental and legal requirements.
Create and manage requisitions, code billing statements and reconcile monthly bills in PeopleSoft.
Manage logistics and materials receive for appropriate quantities, timeliness and accuracy to complete project project.
Complete request for quotation (RFQ), design reviews, and advance product quality planning (APQP).
Used MRP to track and develop orders for electronic and mechanical commodities for high volume 32,000 a day unit product.
Make purchasing decisions base on the examination and recommendations of the ERP planning system and issuing and maintaining supplier purchase orders.

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing buyer skills

Common subcontract administrator skills

Price Analysis, 11%
Purchase Orders, 8%
Program Management, 5%
Bid Packages, 5%
Non-Disclosure Agreements, 5%
DOD, 4%

Common purchasing buyer skills

Purchase Orders, 29%
Logistics, 6%
Cost Savings, 5%
ERP, 4%
MRP, 4%
RFQ, 4%

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Subcontract Administrator
Subcontract Administrator vs Purchasing Buyer

Updated January 8, 2025

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