Would you like to work in a field that involves working with numbers and with people? Are you comfortable being accountable for results? Does a 9-5, office-based career appeal to you? Do you have an interest in developing, motivating and leading staff?
If you've answered "yes" to the above questions, then becoming a purchasing manager may be a great career choice for you. So read on below; we'll give you a brief intro as to what you'd be doing and what you need to do to get there!
The education required to become a purchasing manager can vary based on the discretion of the employer, although you typically need a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a closely related field.
Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree in one of these areas, while others may accept years of experience in roles of progressive responsibility in place of formal education.
The experience you'll need to become a purchasing manager depends on your level of education. Without formal education, you typically need at least 5 years of experience in roles of progressive responsibility within a procurement, inventory management or supply chain management environment.
For example, you could start your career in an entry-level job in purchasing (also known as procurement), inventory management or supply chain management. If you show initiative, accountability and competence in your role, you could gradually move into roles of progressive responsibility, including purchasing manager.
If you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in management or a closely related field, the work experience you'd need could be greatly decreased, as your education may provide you with the knowledge base and competencies that you need to effectively perform management duties in a purchasing department.
Success Tip: It is really hard to step into senior purchasing roles by continually changing jobs. It is much easier to do it by gaining the experience where you are, even if it is only limited experience, and then gradually moving onto roles of progressive responsibility.
As a purchasing manager, you would be responsible for planning and directing the activities of purchasing staff and related workers, who are involved in purchasing materials, products and services for an organization.
You would ultimately be responsible for ensuring that the goods and services they purchase, are of the proper quantity, quality and price as required by your organization.
Who Creates Jobs for Purchasing Managers?
Purchasing Manager Salary - Canada: According to Service Canada, the average salary level of Canadians working in the Purchasing Managers occupational group is $79,300 per year.
Purchasing Manager - United Kingdom: According to the National Careers Service, Junior purchasing managers can expect to earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to between £25,000 and £40,000. If working for a large organization, you could see upwards of £60,000 annually.
Purchasing Manager Salary - United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary level of Americans working in the Purchasing Managers occupational group is $108,120 per year.
Working Hours: As a purchasing manager, you'd likely work regular, weekday working hours. You might find yourself occasionally going into work early, staying late or going in on weekends, in order to complete tasks and projects, or attend meetings, trade shows, or other events.
Work Setting: Your work would be office-based, which could be located within a warehouse, production facility, an corporate office, or other commercial or industrial space. You might have to travel on occasion to attend meetings and trade shows and conferences.
Work Conditions: Your work would involve communicating with colleagues at your office (via phone, email or in person), giving direction to employees, and taking direction from executives. You would also spend some time researching suppliers and vendors, and keeping abreast with market trends.
The Applicable Majors section below shows fields of study relevant to a career as a purchasing manager. You can search for scholarships matched to that/those field(s) of study on our Business Administration Scholarships and Marketing Scholarships pages.
Studying one of the college/university majors listed below can be helpful (or necessary) for becoming a purchasing manager. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!