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The differences between supply chain project managers and directors of purchasing can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a supply chain project manager and a director of purchasing. Additionally, a director of purchasing has an average salary of $106,945, which is higher than the $95,298 average annual salary of a supply chain project manager.
The top three skills for a supply chain project manager include supply chain, project management and supply chain planning. The most important skills for a director of purchasing are supply chain, purchase orders, and product development.
| Supply Chain Project Manager | Director Of Purchasing | |
| Yearly salary | $95,298 | $106,945 |
| Hourly rate | $45.82 | $51.42 |
| Growth rate | - | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 82,193 | 17,847 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A supply chain project manager is responsible for monitoring the supply chain process, ensuring that the procedures adhere to the business functions and product deliverables. Supply chain project managers determine business improvement techniques, including the timely distribution of high-quality products and coordinating with suppliers and third-party vendors for inventories. They also negotiate business contracts and address customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the services of an organization. A supply chain project manager identifies the inconsistencies and faults in the supply chain cycle, developing opportunities to improve operations and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
A director of purchasing oversees the procedures related to buying resources and supplies, directing operations from planning to execution while adhering to standards and company policies. They primarily perform research and assessments to understand project needs in terms of price, quality, and delivery time. They also identify ideal suppliers, negotiate deals, and build positive business relationships. Additionally, a director of purchasing has the authority to make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities among staff, oversee employment procedures within the department, and solve issues and concerns when any arise.
Supply chain project managers and directors of purchasing have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Supply Chain Project Manager | Director Of Purchasing | |
| Average salary | $95,298 | $106,945 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $129,000 | Between $68,000 And $166,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Rivian |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a supply chain project manager and a director of purchasing in terms of educational background:
| Supply Chain Project Manager | Director Of Purchasing | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between supply chain project managers' and directors of purchasing' demographics:
| Supply Chain Project Manager | Director Of Purchasing | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 75.1% Female, 24.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 11% |