The following article discusses the career path of Procurement Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Procurement Managers.
Sponsored School(s)
Job Duties
Procurement managers are the first point of contact between a company and its external suppliers. They have strong analytical skills, which enable them to find new suppliers, screen them, and then develop mutually beneficial service level agreements with them. They then work with legal professionals to put these agreements in place, after which they monitor that all the elements of the contract are being adhered to. In so doing, they ensure the supply process is both cost effective and completely efficient.
These professionals don’t just work with external suppliers and the legal team, however. They also work with engineers, managers, and company executives, focusing on capital projects. They become involved at the start of any new processes, thereby ensuring that they have the time to find the essential supplies. They also focus on industry changes, forecasting the potential impact of this on the organization and on the procurement budget. This enables senior management to develop appropriate strategies so that the goals of the organization can continue to be met.
Other job duties of a procurement manager are:
- To negotiate deadlines, policies, and contracts with external vendors and suppliers
- To monitor product and vendor pricing structures to prepare for potential financial fluctuations
- To manage the flow of supplies and goods so that production is most efficient
- To adapt and analyze internal policies
- To process and prepare purchase requisitions and orders, maintaining acquisition documentation
- To manage vendors and staff so that all goods and products are received in a timely manner
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 520,400 purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals are:
- Manufacturing: 23%
- Wholesale trade: 15%
- Management of companies and enterprises: 10%
- Retail trade: 9%
- Federal government: 8%
How to Become
The role of a procurement manager is highly technical in nature. As a result, they will usually have a technical bachelor. Additionally, they often hold other certifications, such as the CPSM (certificate of professional supply management) or the CPM (certified purchasing manager). Additionally, they must continuously train to remain aware of new supply chain functions and structures.
Education Requirements
A procurement manager is almost always expected to hold a bachelor’s degree, although the size of the organization does play a role in this. The major of the degree should be in supply management, finance, or business, or another technical field. Work experience is very important, as it demonstrates that someone has gained on the job training.
A procurement manager may also obtain various forms of certification, although this is generally not a legal requirement. Appropriate certifications include:
- Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) offered by the American Purchasing Society
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
- Senior Professional in Supply Chain Management (SPSM) offered by the Next Level Purchasing Association.
- Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) offered by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC).
- Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) offered by the UPPCC.
All certifications are valid for a limited time only and must therefore be renewed through further training and examinations. Organizations such as the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) offer training for these courses.
A procurement manager will typically have at least five years’ working experience in a relevant area. Typically, these professionals grow into their role through internal promotions. Others are brought in externally, in which case education weighs more heavily.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective procurement managers have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent decision making skills
- Very good mathematical skills
- Negotiating skills
- Computer skills, particularly in relation to inventory control software
- Management and leadership skills to motivate employees across the board
- Financial skills, particularly focusing on budget management
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s Degree
- .
- .
- .
- Most Reported
- .
- .
- .
- .
- .
- .
$19,000
$186,000
The following section lists Procurement Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Massachusetts had the largest quoted salary of $95,572 while Nebraska had the smallest quoted salary of $38,515.
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Procurement Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
| Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| JAS Recruitment Procurement Manager | California | $281,512 |
| CyberCoders Procurement Manager | Colorado | $138,593 |
| Baltimore County Public Schools Procurement Manager | Maryland | $135,588 |
| Valley Transportation Authority Procurement Manager | California | $133,867 |
| Material and Contract Services, Inc. Procurement Manager | California | $130,598 |
| FOCUS Employment Solutions Procurement Manager | California | $128,680 |
| Laguna Source Procurement Manager | Indiana | $128,488 |
| Coca-Cola Refreshments Procurement Manager | Georgia | $125,854 |
| Bramwith Consulting Procurement Manager | Illinois | $124,086 |
| Johnson Service Group Inc Procurement Manager | Pennsylvania | $123,304 |
| CDP Solutions Procurement Manager | Ohio | $123,273 |
| DSJ Global Procurement Manager | Wisconsin | $116,919 |
| Michael Page Procurement Manager | Connecticut | $116,318 |
| Edwards Place of Employment Procurement Manager | Georgia | $116,218 |
| Constellation Brands Procurement Manager | California | $114,986 |
| Robert Half Finance & Accounting Procurement Manager | New Jersey | $112,301 |
Learn More
| Career Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Revenue Manager | $83,304 |
| Project Director | $82,923 |
| Business Systems Analyst | $82,655 |
| Forensic Accountant | $82,160 |
| Accounting Manager | $81,709 |
| Healthcare Manager | $81,093 |
| Director of Communications | $81,076 |
| Project Manager | $80,833 |
| Program Analyst | $78,849 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $77,694 |
