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Purchasing manager

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

Annual Salary

£28,000 to £60,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 42 a week

You could work: evenings; occasionally

3.4%
Future employment

There will be 3.4% more Purchasing manager jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a purchasing manager, you could:

  • identify what goods, services and equipment are needed
  • draw up tenders and assess bids from potential suppliers
  • present any legal or commercial risks to senior leadership teams
  • identify savings, negotiate prices and agree contracts with suppliers
  • monitor the performance of contracted suppliers
  • manage a purchasing team and make sure rules are followed correctly

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, though it may be useful to study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • business studies
  • logistics and procurement
  • 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 by doing a:

  • Procurement and Supply Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Commercial Procurement and Supply Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete.

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 may be able to join a company as an administrator or assistant in a purchasing department. You could work your way up as you get more experience.

You might also take professional qualifications while working, 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 buying and purchasing. If you have a degree, you may be able to join a graduate management training 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 get more advice about becoming a purchasing manager from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

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As your career develops, you could work towards becoming a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS). This is internationally recognised and can lead to chartered status.

With experience, you could apply for senior roles like head of department, specialise in a particular industry or become a purchasing consultant.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • business management skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • maths knowledge
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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