Life As a Purchasing Manager
Occupation Description Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Life As a Purchasing Manager: What Do They Do?
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
- Maintain records of goods ordered and received.
- Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
- Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
- Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
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Qualities of a Purchasing Manager
Below is a list of the skills most Purchasing Managers say are important on the job.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Purchasing Manager
- Circuit Rider
- Procurement Manager
- General Merchandise Manager
- Contract Manager
- Merchandising Manager
Is There Going to be Demand for Purchasing Managers?
There were about 73,900 jobs for Purchasing Manager in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,000 new jobs for Purchasing Manager by 2026. The BLS estimates 6,300 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Purchasing Manager are Utah, Washington, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Purchasing Manager Make?
The average yearly salary of a Purchasing Manager ranges between $69,860 and $187,060.
Purchasing Managers who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Purchasing Managers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $106,940 |
| Alaska | $106,570 |
| Arizona | $105,780 |
| Arkansas | $111,940 |
| California | $141,400 |
| Colorado | $144,090 |
| Connecticut | $124,680 |
| District of Columbia | $141,150 |
| Florida | $112,840 |
| Georgia | $125,290 |
| Hawaii | $108,870 |
| Idaho | $97,830 |
| Illinois | $114,710 |
| Indiana | $99,960 |
| Iowa | $101,980 |
| Kansas | $104,740 |
| Kentucky | $112,350 |
| Louisiana | $92,720 |
| Maine | $102,050 |
| Maryland | $136,630 |
| Massachusetts | $129,320 |
| Michigan | $119,020 |
| Minnesota | $119,160 |
| Mississippi | $96,400 |
| Missouri | $133,990 |
| Montana | $102,830 |
| Nebraska | $104,240 |
| Nevada | $107,160 |
| New Hampshire | $127,540 |
| New Jersey | $164,910 |
| New Mexico | $110,480 |
| New York | $147,470 |
| North Carolina | $118,710 |
| North Dakota | $133,280 |
| Ohio | $123,440 |
| Oklahoma | $102,170 |
| Oregon | $106,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,760 |
| Rhode Island | $134,220 |
| South Carolina | $105,130 |
| South Dakota | $139,200 |
| Tennessee | $105,260 |
| Texas | $133,010 |
| Utah | $102,250 |
| Vermont | $102,190 |
| Virginia | $135,600 |
| Washington | $134,480 |
| West Virginia | $132,930 |
| Wisconsin | $106,180 |
| Wyoming | $102,770 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Purchasing Managers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Purchasing Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Database software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Scheduling software
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Qlik Tech QlikView
- NetSuite ERP
- Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
Becoming a Purchasing Manager
What education or degrees do I need to become a Purchasing Manager?
What work experience do I need to become a Purchasing Manager?
Where Purchasing Managers Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Purchasing Manager may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Purchasing Manager sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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