Purchasing Manager Job Description Template

A purchasing manager reviewing buying decisions with a colleague.

Improved automation may mean that you don’t need to hire as many purchasing agents and managers as industries and institutions did in the past. However, this decline in demand only places more pressure on your hiring process for a purchasing manager, since this management position has only become more complex as the options for purchasing and the technology used to track those options have become more sophisticated.

Today’s purchasing managers must be agile and strategic. Gone are the days when companies could forge a relationship with a few local vendors and simply maintain those partnerships for decades. Today’s supplier landscape is global and fast-moving, so your vendor relationships need to keep up with new trends and opportunities. A lot is riding on your purchasing manager job description.

The description template below should help you craft a job post that attracts candidates who will optimize your company’s purchasing strategy. For more ideas about how to craft your job post to attract the best candidates, browse Monster’s purchasing manager job listings.

A purchasing manager reviewing buying decisions with a colleague.

Purchasing Manager

[Intro Paragraph] Begin your purchasing manager job description with a concise paragraph or list of bulleted items designed to sell your company, agency, or institution to applicants. You might mention how crucial purchasing is to your company’s success and how central this role is within your workplace. Purchasing managers often work long hours; so, if your company values work-life balance, be sure to mention this in your post.

Purchasing Manager Job Responsibilities:

  • Develops a purchasing strategy.
  • Reviews and processes purchase orders.
  • Manages other members of the purchasing team.
  • Maintains records of goods ordered and received.
  • Negotiates prices and contracts with suppliers.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with vendors.
  • Selects prospective vendors and negotiates contracts.
  • Evaluates vendors based on quality, timeliness, and price.
  • Schedules deliveries and ensures timely fulfillment of orders.
  • Researches and evaluates vendors to compare pricing and services.
  • Coordinates with fellow managers to monitor inventory and determine supply needs.
  • Ensures quality of procured items and addresses problems when they arise.
  • Keeps up with trends in procurement.
  • Travels to vendor locations.
  • Stays current with purchasing technology trends and oversees purchase and implementation, as necessary.

[Work Hours & Benefits] In this section you’ll want to sell the position to potential applicants just as you sold candidates on the workplace in your first paragraph. Include the size of the staff the purchasing manager will oversee. Mention benefits, including medical benefits, 401(k), or paid vacation, as well as salary range. You can use a salary tool that allows you to input job title and location to determine what level of compensation purchasing managers are likely to expect from an offer in your community or region.

Purchasing Manager Qualifications/Skills:

  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Effective communication skills.
  • Negotiation skills.
  • Research and analytical skills.
  • Interpersonal skills.
  • Attention to detail.

Education, Experience, & Licensing Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Degree in supply chain management, logistics, or business administration preferred.
  • 2-3 years’ experience as a purchasing manager or agent.
  • Experience using procurement software and databases.
  • Supervisory experience.

[Call to Action] Your job description should finish strong with a call to action that urges applicants to send a resume or fill out an online application.

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