Technical buyer vs purchasing agent

The differences between technical buyers and purchasing agents 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 purchasing agent. Additionally, a technical buyer has an average salary of $60,382, which is higher than the $51,950 average annual salary of a purchasing agent.

The top three skills for a technical buyer include purchase orders, supplier performance and strategic sourcing. The most important skills for a purchasing agent are purchase orders, customer service, and logistics.

Technical buyer vs purchasing agent overview

	Technical Buyer	Purchasing Agent
Yearly salary	$60,382	$51,950
Hourly rate	$29.03	$24.98
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	79,686	45,856
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

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 purchasing agent do?

A purchasing agent's general task is keeping purchase records and making sure that there won't be any discrepancies with the handling of orders. The purchasing agent should be responsible for the order processing and payment collection. Purchasing agents should also be proficient in interpreting and evaluating data, researching on best marketing sources and alternatives, issuing required documentation for suppliers, as well as managing customer queries as needed. Being a purchasing agent requires critical-thinking skills in assessing concerns and providing solutions should there be any possible negotiation conflicts.

Technical buyer vs purchasing agent salary

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

	Technical Buyer	Purchasing Agent
Average salary	$60,382	$51,950
Salary range	Between $44,000 And $81,000	Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Germantown, MD	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Maryland
Best paying company	CME Group	Abiomed
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between technical buyer and purchasing agent education

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

	Technical Buyer	Purchasing Agent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Technical buyer vs purchasing agent demographics

Here are the differences between technical buyers' and purchasing agents' demographics:

	Technical Buyer	Purchasing Agent
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between technical buyer and purchasing agent 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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Purchasing agent example responsibilities.

Reorganize MRO to manage inventory more efficiently.
Utilize MaCola ERP system to process and manage purchase requisitions and purchase orders in coordination with manufacturing forecast.
Process purchase orders from electronically generate RFQ'S.
Develop programs with suppliers to ensure that commodities meet engineering and quality specifications while maintaining on-time delivery.
Prepare purchase orders, RFP's and RFB's, advertise solicitations, review responses and approve contract acceptance.
Send out RFQ's and award orders to the best fit and price vendor to ensure manufacturing meets critical due dates.

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Technical buyer vs purchasing agent skills

Common technical buyer skills

Purchase Orders, 14%
Supplier Performance, 10%
Strategic Sourcing, 5%
Vendor Relationships, 5%
POS, 4%
ERP, 4%

Common purchasing agent skills

Purchase Orders, 30%
Customer Service, 12%
Logistics, 5%
Inventory Control, 4%
MRP, 3%
Cost Savings, 3%

Technical Buyer vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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