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.
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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.
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.
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?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Purchasing Managers Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Purchasing Managers work:
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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