Supply Chain Procurement Managers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of supply chain procurement managers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for supply chain procurement managers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of supply chain procurement managers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for supply chain procurement managers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Supply Chain Procurement Managers?
Do supply chain procurement managers need a degree? What kind of experience do supply chain procurement managers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for supply chain procurement managers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Supply Chain Procurement Managers
Jobs Postings for Supply Chain Procurement Managers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 39,959 (56%)
- Master's degree: 14,083 (20%)
- No Education Listed: 11,034 (16%)
- High School or GED: 4,444 (6%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,524 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of supply chain procurement managers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 56% of positions. In 20% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 16% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Supply Chain Procurement Managers
Jobs Postings for Supply Chain Procurement Managers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 1,903 (5%)
- 2-3 Years: 8,356 (21%)
- 4-6 Years: 15,079 (38%)
- 7-9 Years: 7,066 (18%)
- 10+ Years: 7,629 (19%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for supply chain procurement managers. In 38% of job postings for Supply Chain Procurement Managers, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 21% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 10+ years of experience was sought in 19% of job postings for supply chain procurement managers.
What Kind of Degree Do Supply Chain Procurement Managers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for supply chain procurement managers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 8 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective supply chain procurement managers, and in 2023 a total of 42,466 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective supply chain procurement managers.
Top Degree Programs for Supply Chain Procurement Managers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Supply Chain Procurement Managers (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,298 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. | 10,419 |
| Operations Management and Supervision. | 5,855 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 4,872 |
| Fashion Merchandising. | 2,911 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,298 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. | 10,419 |
| Operations Management and Supervision. | 5,855 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 4,872 |
| Fashion Merchandising. | 2,911 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,214 |
| Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management. | 1,102 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 795 |
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Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Supply Chain Procurement Managers
Gain college credit for your training and work experience and prepare to move into management or grow your small business.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Build a strong foundation of real-world business knowledge suitable for a variety of career options in your industry of choice.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Build on your associate's degree and improve efficiency by designing and developing effective supply chains.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Improve product workflow, streamline operational efficiency, and “green” your business in today’s global business environment.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Supply Chain Procurement Managers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by supply chain procurement managers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for supply chain procurement managers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Supply Chain Procurement Managers
Based on 55,219 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Supply Chain Procurement Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | 36,159 | 65% |
| Purchasing | 29,107 | 53% |
| Supply Chain | 21,608 | 39% |
| Finance | 14,460 | 26% |
| Project Management | 14,348 | 26% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Supply Chain Procurement Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 28,708 | 52% |
| Communication | 27,995 | 51% |
| Negotiation | 24,183 | 44% |
| Leadership | 23,166 | 42% |
| Operations | 20,702 | 37% |
Based on 55,219 job postings related to supply chain procurement managers, procurement was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 65% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for purchasing, supply chain, finance, project management and strategic sourcing were also highly sought.
As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for supply chain procurement managers, followed by communication, negotiation, leadership, operations and microsoft excel.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | 36,159 | 65% |
| Purchasing | 29,107 | 53% |
| Supply Chain | 21,608 | 39% |
| Finance | 14,460 | 26% |
| Project Management | 14,348 | 26% |
| Strategic Sourcing | 13,322 | 24% |
| Supplier Relationship Management | 10,349 | 19% |
| Supply Chain Management | 9,780 | 18% |
| Supplier Performance Management | 9,692 | 18% |
| Request For Proposal | 9,554 | 17% |
| Continuous Improvement Process | 9,043 | 16% |
| Contract Management | 8,005 | 14% |
| Contract Negotiation | 7,797 | 14% |
| Procurement Management | 7,290 | 13% |
| Category Management | 7,227 | 13% |
| Strategic Procurement | 7,186 | 13% |
| Supplier Management | 6,971 | 13% |
| Accounting | 6,668 | 12% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 6,617 | 12% |
| Process Improvement | 6,387 | 12% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 28,708 | 52% |
| Communication | 27,995 | 51% |
| Negotiation | 24,183 | 44% |
| Leadership | 23,166 | 42% |
| Operations | 20,702 | 37% |
| Microsoft Excel | 14,132 | 26% |
| Problem Solving | 13,102 | 24% |
| Planning | 11,692 | 21% |
| Microsoft Office | 10,182 | 18% |
| Influencing Skills | 9,850 | 18% |
| Customer Service | 9,794 | 18% |
| Detail Oriented | 9,232 | 17% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 8,966 | 16% |
| Writing | 8,958 | 16% |
| Innovation | 8,196 | 15% |
| Sales | 7,874 | 14% |
| Presentations | 7,801 | 14% |
| Coordinating | 7,482 | 14% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 6,620 | 12% |
| Forecasting | 6,553 | 12% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about supply chain procurement managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for supply chain procurement managers.
What do supply chain procurement managers do?
How much do supply chain procurement managers make?
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