Purchasing managers plan, direct, and coordinate the buying of materials, products, or services for wholesalers, retailers, or organizations. They oversee the work of procurement-related occupations including buyers and purchasing agents.

Most purchasing managers work full time. Many work more than 40 hours per week.

Purchasing managers need a bachelor’s degree and work experience as a buyer or purchasing agent.

Employment of purchasing managers is projected to show little or no change from 2014 to 2024. These workers will be needed to oversee the purchasing of goods and services for business operations or for resale to customers. Employment growth will vary with the type of purchasing manager and the specific industry.

This occupation supported 71,900 jobs in 2012 and 73,000 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 1.5%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 2.1% in 2022 to 73,400 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 72,200, compared with an observed value of 73,000, 1.1% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 1.0% in 2024 to 73,700 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 73,700 jobs for 2024, 0.0% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.