What is a Purchasing Manager?
Example of Purchasing Manager Job 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?
- Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
- Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
- Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
- Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
- Resolve vendor or contractor grievances, and claims against suppliers.
Featured schools near , edit
Skills Needed to be a Purchasing Manager
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.
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.
Other Purchasing Manager Job Titles
- Contracts Specialist
- Procurement Manager
- Purchasing Manager
- Materials Manager
- Property and Supply Officer
Job Demand for Purchasing Managers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 73,900 jobs in the United States for Purchasing Manager. 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.
Do Purchasing Managers Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Purchasing Managers ranges between about $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 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?
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
Becoming a Purchasing Manager
Education needed to be a Purchasing Manager:
What work experience do I need to become a Purchasing Manager?
Where Purchasing Managers Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Purchasing Managers work:
Related 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.
Featured Schools
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.
Visit School
BusinessDegreeCentral.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.
© BusinessDegreeCentral.com – All Rights Reserved.