Purchasing Managers
(NOC 0113)
in All ManagementPurchasing managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a purchasing department and develop and implement the purchasing policies of a business or institution. They work throughout the public and private sectors.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Management
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Purchasing Managers most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 79% of Purchasing Managers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $79,834. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$22.79
Minimum$37.63
Median$57.09
MaximumAnnual Pay
$22,185
Minimum$78,098
Median$137,046
MaximumCompared to: All Management
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$45.17
Median$58.17
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,632
Minimum$55,002
Median$124,014
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Purchasing managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a purchasing department and develop and implement the purchasing policies of a business or institution. They work throughout the public and private sectors.
Job duties
Purchasing managers:
- Manage the purchasing activities of an organization.
- Develop purchasing policies and procedures and control purchasing department budget.
- Identify vendors of materials, equipment or supplies.
- Evaluate cost and quality of goods or services.
- Negotiate purchase contracts.
- Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products or substitute materials.
- Review and process claims against suppliers.
- Interview, hire and oversee training of staff.
Sample job titles
- contract manager
- material manager
- procurement director
- procurement manager
- purchasing contract manager
- purchasing director
- supply chain logistics manager
- supply chief
Skills
You need to be organized and able to meet deadlines. You must be analytical, flexible, attentive to detail, and able to make decisions. You need good written and oral communication skills, and you must be able to establish effective working relationships with a variety of people.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics.
- Purchasing managers responsible for units purchasing specialized materials or business services may need a related degree or diploma. For example, a bachelor's degree or college diploma in engineering may be necessary for purchasing managers that purchase industrial products.
- The designation Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) or registration in the educational program of the Supply Chain Management Association may be required.
- Several years of experience as a purchasing agent or officer are required.
Other considerations
Movement to senior management positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Management
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Southern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Manufacturing
Public administration
Wholesale trade
Professional, scientific and technical services
Retail trade
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Management
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$79,264 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$84,174 median annual incomeHigh school
$62,913 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$92,777 median annual incomeUniversity certificate or diploma
N/ACompared to: All Management
Bachelor's degree
$71,875 median annual incomeHigh school
$42,294 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$50,256 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$93,261 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$44,396 median annual incomeEducation & training
Business administration and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
800 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Economics - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. These programs include courses in economic theory, microeconomics and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Professional Designation: Professional designation exists and shows that the holder has met the standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, however, professional designation is not necessary to legally work in this job.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.