What Does it Take to Be 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.
Daily Life Of a Purchasing Manager
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
- Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
- Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.
- Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers.
- Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products, or substitute materials.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
Featured schools near , edit
Purchasing Manager Required Skills
Purchasing Managers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Other Purchasing Manager Job Titles
- Contract Coordinator
- Contracts Specialist
- Purchasing Director
- Circuit Rider
- Vendor Manager
Job Outlook 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. There will be an estimated 6,300 positions for Purchasing Manager per year.
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?
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Purchasing Managers in different U.S. states.
| 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 SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Scheduling software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Qlik Tech QlikView
- NetSuite ERP
- Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
Becoming a Purchasing Manager
Education needed to be a Purchasing Manager:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Purchasing Managers?
The table below shows the approximate number of Purchasing Managers employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Purchasing Manager may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Purchasing Manager sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.