Set purchasing policies, negotiate major contracts, and lead buyers who source goods and services.
You may also see this posted as: Materials Manager, Procurement Manager, Purchasing Director, Category Purchasing Manager, Commodity Manager, Materials Director.
Corporate, government, healthcare, and manufacturing offices.
Usually full-time; travel and supplier deadlines may extend hours.
Enterprising
leading, persuading, selling, or turning an idea into action
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Social
helping, teaching, caring for, or supporting other people
O*NET job zone 4 of 5
High preparation—usually a four-year degree plus experience—is common.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
BLS estimates 0.8% of workers in this occupation are self-employed.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: Bachelor's degree plus several years as a buyer or purchasing agent.
Related work experience: 5 years or more.
On-the-job training: None.
No license required to start in most places.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Sets sourcing strategy and leads the people who negotiate for materials, equipment, and services.
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Standard Occupational Classification 11-3061. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.