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Purchasing Manager

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All About Purchasing Managers

Career 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.

List of Purchasing Manager Job Duties

  • Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
  • Control purchasing department budgets.
  • Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
  • Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers.
  • Maintain records of goods ordered and received.
  • Administer online purchasing systems.

Skills Needed to be a Purchasing Manager

These are the skills Purchasing Managers say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Types of Purchasing Manager Jobs

  • Purchasing Manager
  • Commissary Superintendent
  • Circuit Rider
  • General Merchandise Manager
  • Category Purchasing Manager

Are There Job Opportunities 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.

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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.

How Much Does a Purchasing Manager Make?

Purchasing Managers make between $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

What Tools & Technology do Purchasing Managers Use?

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

How to Become a Purchasing Manager

What education is needed to be a Purchasing Manager?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Purchasing Managers Are Employed

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Below are examples of industries where Purchasing Managers work:

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Similar Careers

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

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.

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