Subcontracts manager vs purchasing manager

The differences between subcontracts managers and purchasing 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 subcontracts manager and a purchasing manager. Additionally, a purchasing manager has an average salary of $98,118, which is higher than the $83,758 average annual salary of a subcontracts manager.

The top three skills for a subcontracts manager include program management, price analysis and project management. The most important skills for a purchasing manager are supply chain, strategic sourcing, and project management.

Subcontracts manager vs purchasing manager overview

	Subcontracts Manager	Purchasing Manager
Yearly salary	$83,758	$98,118
Hourly rate	$40.27	$47.17
Growth rate	-6%	-6%
Number of jobs	9,829	30,430
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a subcontracts manager do?

The job of a subcontract manager is to develop and negotiate subcontracts, arrange payments, and analyze sales records. You will be responsible for evaluating employee performance and monitoring supply changes using your contract management skills and administrative expertise. Other duties include overseeing the agreement between subcontractors and your company, researching and evaluating supplies, and monitoring the shipment of goods. This role will also require you to participate in bidder's conferences and seminars, develop subcontract terms and conditions, and oversee the hiring of purchasing clerks and buyers.

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.

Subcontracts manager vs purchasing manager salary

Subcontracts managers and purchasing managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Subcontracts Manager	Purchasing Manager
Average salary	$83,758	$98,118
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $134,000	Between $70,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	Richmond, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Maine
Best paying company	Accenture	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between subcontracts manager and purchasing manager education

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

	Subcontracts Manager	Purchasing Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Subcontracts manager vs purchasing manager demographics

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

	Subcontracts Manager	Purchasing Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 70.0% Female, 30.0%	Male, 67.0% Female, 33.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between subcontracts manager and purchasing manager duties and responsibilities

Subcontracts manager example responsibilities.

Manage CPFF and FFP subcontracts - including classify subcontracts.
Negotiate and manage several large dollar, high visibility DOD subcontracts.
Manage administrative support, handle payroll, develop company policies and procedures manual.
Formulate organizational and operational plans, grants, contracts and procedures for achieving Medicaid program goals.
Collect cross-functional data, prepare presentation material, lead executive meetings and coordinate logistics in Asia and San Diego.
Perform strategic sourcing and supplier management for DOD subcontracts and services through negotiations and contract and spend management techniques.

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.

Subcontracts manager vs purchasing manager skills

Common subcontracts manager skills

Program Management, 8%
Price Analysis, 7%
Project Management, 6%
Supplier Performance, 6%
Purchase Orders, 5%
Government Regulations, 4%

Common purchasing manager skills

Supply Chain, 15%
Strategic Sourcing, 7%
Project Management, 5%
Supplier Performance, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 4%
Purchase Orders, 4%

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Subcontracts Manager
Subcontracts Manager vs Purchasing Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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