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Purchasing Manager

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Life As a Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager Example 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.

List of Purchasing Manager Job Duties

  • Control purchasing department budgets.
  • Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
  • Prepare reports regarding market conditions and merchandise costs.
  • Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
  • Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
  • Arrange for disposal of surplus materials.

Skills Needed to be 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 Jobs

  • Procurement Services Manager
  • Merchandise Manager
  • Material Manager
  • Import Coordinator
  • Purchasing Coordinator

Purchasing Manager Job Outlook

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.

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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.

Purchasing Manager Salary

The salary for Purchasing Managers ranges between about $69,860 and $187,060 a year.

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Purchasing Managers who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.

How much do Purchasing Managers make 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

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 do I Become a Purchasing Manager?

Education needed to be a Purchasing Manager:

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What work experience do I need to become a Purchasing Manager?

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Purchasing Managers Sector

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Purchasing Managers work in the following industries:

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Those thinking about becoming a Purchasing Manager might also be interested in the following careers:

Are you already one of the many Purchasing Manager in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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