Special Offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $75 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed with Urgently Hiring make a hire 5 days faster than non-sponsored jobs.**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires

Purchasing Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
8 min read

A 236531226purchasing7.49procurement5.36buyer4.78purchasing manager4.59supply chain3.59973612001031000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY531235502025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Purchasing Manager, or Materials Manager, is in charge of supervising the process of sourcing and purchasing essential materials for a business’s operations. Their duties include researching raw materials suppliers and comparing costs, negotiating purchase agreements and developing inventory controls to identify demand for new materials.

236531226purchasing7.49procurement5.36buyer4.78purchasing manager4.59supply chain3.59973612001031000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY531235502025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Purchasing Manager duties and responsibilities

A 236531226purchasing7.49procurement5.36buyer4.78purchasing manager4.59supply chain3.59973612001031000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY531235502025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Purchasing Manager is responsible for evaluating suppliers and negotiating contracts to achieve the lowest price for high-quality goods. This role may have the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Planning and overseeing the work of Buyers and Purchasing Agents
  • Hiring and training new staff
  • Developing an organization’s procurement rules and regulations
  • Establishing guidelines on how often the company gets price quotes for items, the number of bids to accept and which vendors to consider
  • Buying goods and services for the company
  • Discussing contracts
  • Evaluating quality, price, reliability, technical support and availability of goods and services

Hire your next Purchasing Manager today.

Build a job description

Hire your next Purchasing Manager today.

Build a job description
Close

Purchasing Manager Job Description Examples

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

What does a 236531226purchasing7.49procurement5.36buyer4.78purchasing manager4.59supply chain3.59973612001031000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY531235502025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Purchasing Manager do?

Purchasing Managers work in all industries to secure the materials, supplies and equipment a company needs to complete essential business functions. This includes all kinds of products from raw materials to packaging and shipping supplies. The role of a 236531226purchasing7.49procurement5.36buyer4.78purchasing manager4.59supply chain3.59973612001031000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY531235502025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Purchasing Manager is to design purchasing strategies that ensure constant availability of inventory within the company’s budget. Purchasing Mangers develop databases of potential suppliers and cultivate working relationships to ease the process of acquiring new materials.

236531226purchasing7.49procurement5.36buyer4.78purchasing manager4.59supply chain3.59973612001031000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY531235502025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Purchasing Manager skills and qualifications

A Purchasing Manager should have the following skills and qualifications to be effective in the position: 

  • Knowledge of procurement software and tools
  • Interpersonal skills such as teamwork and good listening skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to manage time and organize
  • Strong leadership skills

Purchasing Manager salary expectations

A Purchasing Manager earns an average of $73,345 per year. This amount may vary depending on the exact industry and geographical location of the position. Purchasing Managers may also receive an average of $5,000 per year through profit sharing.

Purchasing Manager salary expectations

2025-10-0131000.0085255.86166000.00YEARLY
  • Common salary: 85255.86 YEARLY
  • Typical salaries range from 31000.00 - 166000.00 YEARLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Purchasing Manager education and training requirements

To get hired in the position for any sized company, a candidate could have a bachelor’s degree in business, or have experience with business communications, principles of management, business law for commercial transactions, marketing management or strategic management. This gives applicants an overview of many functions in the business world and how they interact. Experience in finance or supply management can also be relevant. Purchasing Managers should also have some experience in the field.

Purchasing Manager experience requirements

In order to be promoted or hired as a Purchasing Manager, candidates are required to have at least 5 years of experience in a relevant area. A Purchasing Manager usually grows into the role through internal promotions. Many Purchasing Managers begin their careers as Buyers or Purchasing Agents and receive on-the-job training where they learn about the basics of procurement and how to negotiate with suppliers. After gaining experience, they are then promoted from that position to a Purchasing Manager.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description sample isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, see our job descriptions for related positions:

Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Hire your next Purchasing Manager today.

Build a job description

Frequently asked questions about Purchasing Managers?

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found