The short version: Procurement professionals buy the materials, parts, equipment, and services a company needs, at the right price, quality, and timing. Jobs range from entry-level buyer and purchasing assistant to strategic sourcing manager and chief procurement officer. BLS projects about 53,600 openings a year for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents, and purchasing managers earn a median of $148,080.
Common procurement jobs
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Purchasing assistant or procurement coordinator | Processes purchase orders, tracks deliveries, maintains supplier records |
| Buyer or purchasing agent | Gets quotes, negotiates prices, places orders for specific categories |
| Procurement or sourcing specialist | Runs RFQs and RFPs, qualifies new suppliers, manages contracts |
| Category manager | Owns spend strategy for a category such as electronics, steel, or IT |
| Strategic sourcing manager | Leads large negotiations and supplier consolidation |
| Purchasing or procurement manager | Leads the buying team, policy, and supplier performance |
| Chief procurement officer | Sets procurement strategy across the company |
Procurement salaries
| Occupation (BLS) | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Purchasing managers | $148,080 |
| Buyers and purchasing agents | $77,710 |
Buyers who handle technical categories like electronic components, machined parts, or capital equipment often earn more than generalists, because they need to read drawings and specs and talk with engineers. Check pay for your city with our salary calculator.
Skills that matter in procurement
- Negotiation. Price, terms, lead times, and warranties.
- Cost analysis. Total cost of ownership, should-cost models, and landed cost.
- Supplier management. Scorecards, audits, and risk monitoring.
- Contracts. Reading terms and working with legal.
- Systems. ERP purchasing modules and tools like SAP Ariba or Coupa.
- Technical literacy. In manufacturing, reading drawings and understanding materials.
Certifications
The most recognized are ISM’s Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), ASCM’s CSCP, and CIPS in international roles. Government buyers often pursue NIGP or federal contracting credentials. None are required to start, but they help for promotions.
How to break into procurement
- Start in a coordinator, purchasing assistant, or junior buyer role.
- Move over from a nearby role. Logistics coordinators and supply chain analysts often step into buying jobs.
- Engineers can move into supplier quality or technical sourcing, where an engineering background is a big advantage.
- Learn Excel and your target industry’s ERP early.
For how procurement fits with planning, logistics, and operations roles, see our guide to supply chain jobs. If you do not have a degree, procurement roles also appear in our list of jobs that pay over $50K without a degree.
Frequently asked questions
Is procurement a good career?
Yes. Pay is solid, especially at the manager level, and every industry needs buyers. Growth is slower than in some supply chain roles, but turnover and retirements keep openings steady.
What is the difference between procurement and purchasing?
Purchasing is the transaction: placing and tracking orders. Procurement is the wider process, including sourcing, negotiation, contracts, and supplier management.
Do you need a degree for procurement jobs?
Entry roles often do not. Many buyer and manager roles prefer a bachelor’s in business, supply chain, or engineering.
Looking for a procurement role? Browse open jobs or submit your resume.
