Purchasing manager

Purchasing managers plan, direct or coordinate the activities of staff involved in buying materials, products and services.

Also known as

Procurement manager, sourcing manager, buying manager, supply chain manager, purchasing officer, inventory and purchasing manager

Work environment

  • Usually work regular business hours
  • Usually work in offices
  • Need to communicate well, solve problems and make decisions

Salary information

MOST COMMON
UPPER
LOWER
$65K-$194K 65000

Typical tasks

  • Manage buying activities of staff
  • Research and identify new suppliers
  • Build relationships and negotiate with suppliers
  • Order and purchase goods and services
  • Keep accurate records of payments
  • Review and assess staff performance
  • Prepare financial reports and budgets
  • Stay up to date with market trends
  • Develop and update purchasing policies

Outlook

Purchasing managers are helping organisations build more reliable, cost-effective and sustainable supply chains. In New Zealand, dependence on international suppliers means businesses must respond to shipping delays, price changes and supply risks. Digital procurement systems, supplier data and automated processes are improving visibility. Environmental, social and ethical sourcing expectations are also becoming more important in local and global markets.

What employers and industry want in graduates

  • Ability to plan purchasing strategies and manage supplier relationships
  • Strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills
  • Confidence analysing costs, contracts and supply risks
  • Leadership and ability to coordinate purchasing teams
  • Understanding of procurement systems and supply-chain data
  • Commitment to ethical, sustainable and transparent sourcing

AUT programmes

The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.

Further study options

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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.