Occupations11-3061.00

Purchasing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services.

Median annual pay
$139,510

BLS, 2024

Employment
83,500

U.S., 2024

Ten-year outlook
+3.1%

2024–34

Annual openings
6,400

Projected average

The work

Core tasks

  1. 01Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
  2. 02Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
  3. 03Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
  4. 04Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
  5. 05Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
  6. 06Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
  7. 07Administer online purchasing systems.
  8. 08Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
  9. 09Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
  10. 10Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.
  11. 11Control purchasing department budgets.
  12. 12Resolve vendor or contractor grievances and claims against suppliers.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive LearningMathematicsLearning StrategiesScience

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading

U.S. employment is projected to move from 83,500 in 2024 to 86,100 in 2034, a +3.1% change.

BLS projects an average of 6,400 openings each year over the period, including openings created by workers leaving the occupation.