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Purchasing manager

Purchasing managers buy equipment, goods and services for their company.

Annual Salary

£30,000 to £60,000

Working hours

38 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings; occasionally

3.4%
Future employment

There will be 3.4% more Purchasing manager jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • decide what goods, services and equipment are needed
  • forecast stock or service levels and identify potential cost savings
  • research and find new products and suppliers
  • assess tenders from potential suppliers
  • present any legal or commercial risks to senior leadership teams
  • negotiate prices and agree contracts
  • monitor the performance of contracted suppliers
  • make sure staff follow purchasing procedures correctly
  • keep up to date with market trends

Working environment

You could work in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
University

There is no set entry route to become a purchasing manager but it may be useful to get a relevant foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • business studies
  • purchasing and logistics
  • purchasing and supply
  • marketing
  • supply chain management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could start as a trainee purchasing manager through an advanced Procurement and supply assistant apprenticeship.

You could also do a Commercial procurement and supply higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could start by working as an administrator or assistant in a company's purchasing department. You could work your way up as you get more experience.

You could also take professional qualifications through an organisation like the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you have several years' experience in purchasing. If you have a degree you can join a procurement graduate management scheme.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply for professional development training and industry contacts, which could help with your career.

Further information

You can find more advice about becoming a purchasing manager from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

You can improve your career prospects with a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • business management skills
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • analytical thinking skills
  • maths knowledge
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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