What Do Procurement Managers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for procurement managers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what procurement managers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Procurement Managers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about procurement managers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Procurement Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Popular Job Titles For Procurement Managers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Purchasing Managers
- Procurement Managers
- Strategic Sourcing Managers
- Sourcing Managers
- Directors of Procurement
- Procurement Coordinators
- Commodity Managers
- Procurement Category Managers
- Category Managers
- Directors of Purchasing
- Directors of Global Sourcing
- Supply Chain Procurement Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for procurement managers can be found.
Best Industries for Procurement Managers
Procurement Managers Jobs By Industry
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 18.1%
- Federal Government, Civilian: 9.3%
- Federal Government, Military: 4.6%
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing: 3.7%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 2.9%
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 2.8%
- Other: 58.6%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of procurement managers can be found working in the Management of Companies and Enterprises sector. In 2023, about 18.1% of all jobs for procurement managers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Federal Government, Civilian (9.3%), Federal Government, Military (4.6%), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (3.7%), Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (2.9%) and Scientific Research and Development Services (2.8%).
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Degree Options for 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 Do Procurement Managers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what procurement managers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work procurement managers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that procurement managers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for procurement managers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Procurement Managers
Based on 55,219 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for 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 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 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 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% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Procurement Managers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing Managers | 12,337 | 20.7% |
| Procurement Managers | 10,306 | 17.3% |
| Strategic Sourcing Managers | 4,932 | 8.3% |
| Sourcing Managers | 4,065 | 6.8% |
| Directors of Procurement | 3,460 | 5.8% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was purchasing managers, with 5,055 unique job postings. Procurement managers were second, with 2,096 postings, followed by strategic sourcing managers, sourcing managers and directors of procurement.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to procurement managers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing Managers | 12,337 | 20.7% |
| Procurement Managers | 10,306 | 17.3% |
| Strategic Sourcing Managers | 4,932 | 8.3% |
| Sourcing Managers | 4,065 | 6.8% |
| Directors of Procurement | 3,460 | 5.8% |
| Procurement Coordinators | 3,990 | 6.7% |
| Commodity Managers | 3,073 | 5.1% |
| Procurement Category Managers | 1,804 | 3% |
| Category Managers | 1,995 | 3.3% |
| Directors of Purchasing | 2,162 | 3.6% |
| Directors of Global Sourcing | 1,041 | 1.7% |
| Supply Chain Procurement Managers | 1,526 | 2.6% |
| Procurement Sourcing Managers | 1,089 | 1.8% |
| Purchasing Supervisors | 1,735 | 2.9% |
| Harvest Managers | 1,252 | 2.1% |
| Procurement Project Managers | 1,059 | 1.8% |
| Purchasing Administrators | 1,072 | 1.8% |
| Directors of Strategic Sourcing | 1,036 | 1.7% |
| Indirect Procurement Managers | 943 | 1.6% |
| Procurement Administrators | 861 | 1.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for procurement managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for procurement managers.
How much do procurement managers make?
Procurement Managers: How do you become one?
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