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Technical buyer vs purchaser

The differences between technical buyers and purchasers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a technical buyer and a purchaser. Additionally, a technical buyer has an average salary of $60,382, which is higher than the $50,031 average annual salary of a purchaser.

The top three skills for a technical buyer include purchase orders, supplier performance and strategic sourcing. The most important skills for a purchaser are purchase orders, FDA, and POS.

Technical buyer vs purchaser overview

Technical BuyerPurchaser
Yearly salary$60,382$50,031
Hourly rate$29.03$24.05
Growth rate--
Number of jobs79,6866,852
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4848
Years of experience66

What does a technical buyer do?

Technical Buyers are tasked with managing several materials, products, or services to promote the business. They must be in touch with the stakeholder because he/she is tasked with the high screening and contracting with the suppliers.

What does a purchaser do?

A Purchaser is responsible for buying goods and services from distribution centers to sell to customers or other companies. They conduct data analysis and research current market trends to identify public demands and generate resources that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. They also ensure the adequacy of supply inventories for deliveries, respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, and recommend products according to their needs and budget requirements. A Purchaser must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting purchase transactions and negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors.

Technical buyer vs purchaser salary

Technical buyers and purchasers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical BuyerPurchaser
Average salary$60,382$50,031
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $81,000Between $36,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityGermantown, MDAtlantic City, NJ
Highest paying stateMarylandNew Jersey
Best paying companyCME GroupBarnes Group
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between technical buyer and purchaser education

There are a few differences between a technical buyer and a purchaser in terms of educational background:

Technical BuyerPurchaser
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Technical buyer vs purchaser demographics

Here are the differences between technical buyers' and purchasers' demographics:

Technical BuyerPurchaser
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 62.5% Female, 37.5%Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between technical buyer and purchaser duties and responsibilities

Technical buyer example responsibilities.

  • Manage assign plastics, metals and electronic commodities, to ensure quality, quantity and delivery standards are attain.
  • Support cross-region store openings and manage various procurement programs including hardware and POS systems.
  • Manage activities of purchasing, production planning and scheduling, inventory management, warehousing and logistics.
  • Develop RFP's and RFI's to leverage buying power with vendors.
  • Source suppliers and material, create RFQ's, and drive cost savings initiatives.
  • Utilize the Lawson ERP system for procurement.
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Purchaser example responsibilities.

  • Purchase components for production; run daily production schedule; manage inventory of items; source alternative items for production
  • Work extensively with customers to identify business and project requirements through RFI's, RFP's, and RFQ's.
  • Handle RFQ (request for quotation) and the RFB (request for bid).
  • Insure day to day operations run smoothly.
  • Operate ERP system in factory and keep the data update.
  • Order parts & MRO items as needed for production workers.
  • Show more

Technical buyer vs purchaser skills

Common technical buyer skills
  • Purchase Orders, 14%
  • Supplier Performance, 10%
  • Strategic Sourcing, 5%
  • Vendor Relationships, 5%
  • POS, 4%
  • ERP, 4%
Common purchaser skills
  • Purchase Orders, 38%
  • FDA, 7%
  • POS, 6%
  • Commodities, 5%
  • Logistics, 4%
  • Expedite, 3%

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