What Does it Take to Be a Purchasing Manager?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Purchasing Manager Responsibilities
- Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
- Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
- Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers.
- Control purchasing department budgets.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
- Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products, or substitute materials.
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What Every Purchasing Manager Should Know
When polled, Purchasing Managers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Purchasing Manager
- Material Manager
- Procurement Services Manager
- Materials Director
- Contracting Manager
Job Demand for Purchasing Managers
In the United States, there were 73,900 jobs for Purchasing Manager in 2016. 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Purchasing Manager
Purchasing Managers make between $69,860 and $187,060 a year.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Purchasing Managers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Purchasing Managers may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How to Become a Purchasing Manager
Education needed to be a Purchasing Manager:
How Long Does it Take 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.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Purchasing Manager might also be interested in the following careers:
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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