Purchasing Managers

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.

Skills Needed to be a Purchasing Manager

• 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
• 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 Managers. 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 Managers 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.

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 Power Point
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Access
• SAP
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft Share Point
• Database software
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Oracle People Soft
• Scheduling software
• ERP software
• Net Suite ERP

Where Purchasing Managers Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Purchasing Managers work:

#J-18808-Ljbffr