How to write a Purchasing Manager job description

Your job description is the first touchpoint between your company and your new hire. With millions of people searching for jobs on Indeed each month, a great job description can help you attract the most qualified candidates to your open position. To get you started, here are some tips for creating an effective job description.

Post a Job

Are you a job seeker? Find Jobs.

Purchasing Manager job title

A great job title typically includes a general term, level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will optimize your job title to show up in a general search for jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if your position is specialized, consider including the specialization in the job title as well. But avoid using internal titles, abbreviations or acronyms to make sure people understand what your job posting is before clicking.

Examples of Purchasing Manager job titles

Purchasing Manager

Senior Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager (with Oracle proficiency)

Procurement Manager

Purchasing Manager job summary

A great job description starts with a compelling summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is a good fit.

Example of a Purchasing Manager job summary

Our company is looking for a Purchasing Manager who can analyze our current buying systems and create the best methods for day-to-day purchasing operations. Our Purchasing Manager will be responsible for overseeing our purchasing department, establishing Buyer goals based on corporate inventory needs and sales projections for the coming year and setting career objectives for each member of the purchasing team. If you are a skilled negotiator with previous experience in the manufacturing industry, please apply today.

Purchasing Manager responsibilities and duties

The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and who the job reports to.

Examples of Purchasing Manager responsibilities

Propose improvements to the current purchasing system that will improve vendor relationships and lower the cost of doing business

Collaborate with inventory control and sales to develop metrics for gauging inventory level needs and then maintaining those levels throughout the year

Take the lead in creating profitable ways to manage obsolete and slow-moving stock to help offset losses

Manage the company’s day-to-day purchasing activities and ensure that all purchasing agents are meeting their personal performance standards

Assist in developing more effective invoicing and collecting processes

Purchasing Manager qualifications and skills

Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you envision for a successful hire. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.

Examples of Purchasing Manager skills

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field

APICS certification preferred

SAP software experience required

4+ years’ purchasing management experience

Strong knowledge of supply chain management required

Proven history of developing effective inventory management policies required