In larger organizations with more complex supply chains, there are differences between the Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents. In smaller organizations with less revenue and less complexity, the different purchasing jobs hats might all be worn by the same person.
Thus, if you are in a purchasing job with a larger organization, you can work yourself up from buyer to purchasing manager.
Buyers will need to be people with a strong sales and marketing personality. In addition to a college degree (minimum B.A), they'll need such traits as sales effectiveness understanding, a high level of organization, the ability to foresee and plan for different scenarios (especially bad ones), strategic thinking, time management; and operational analytical abilities.
Purchasing agents act more like buyers who are focused on being direct go-betweens interacting with the sales force, the vendors, and the accounting department. They try to eliminate any conflicts of interest that might hinder the company benefit from getting the best possible deal.
But the job of purchasing manager requires additional traits, including the following: being highly self-motivated, optimistic, and adept at taking calculated risks; possessing great mentoring and leadership skills that inspire excellence in others; being a great listener who knows when to submit; possessing think-outside-the-box capabilities; being a superior communicator; honesty and integrity while possessing a commanding presence; and absolutely responsible for the ultimate purchasing department decisions.
These are all qualities that those new to purchasing jobs like buyers can develop through the years. They will also need to be something of a show-off, so that upper management notices these traits blossoming and marks them for future management. Essentially, purchasing managers want to meet their obligations ahead of time, demonstrate great company loyalty, demonstrate a constant ability to learn, and build great rapport with vendors.
While a professional buyer makes bulk purchases on behalf of a retailer or wholesaler, the purchasing jobs of the manager are broader and more detailed. Their duties include discovering reliable vendors or suppliers who can provide quality goods and negotiating with them to secure the best prices, determining the time and the amount of a delivery, and reviewing technical specifications for raw materials, components, and equipment.
Once you have been marked for future management, you'll need to get your Certified Purchasing Manager designation (C.P.M.). This designation was designed for the experienced supply manager, and focuses on a variety of specialized skills in the arena of supply management. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) says that a buyer or purchasing agent is eligible to become a Purchasing Manager if they: (1) have five years of full-time professional (non-clerical, non-support) supply management experience; or, (2) have a four-year degree from an accredited institution and three years of full-time professional supply management experience.
Subsequently, one needs to pass four exam modules given by the ISM: 1) Purchasing Process; 2) Supply Environment; 3) Value Enhancement Strategies, and 4) Management. Once these have been satisfied, one may apply for C.P.M. designation from the ISM.
The average annual salary nationally for the purchasing jobs of buyer or purchasing agent is about $43,000. For CPMs this compensation is about $50,000 per year on average.
Conclusion
Purchasing jobs can offer decent, steady pay and great benefits. As supply chain management becomes increasingly vital in the complexities of a global marketplace, purchasing jobs will continue to become more coveted and secure.
