Becoming a purchasing manager?

Question

How does one become a purchasing manager? Where should one start?

Answer 1

Join an association known as APIX... you can find it online... it offers a "license" of sorts for purchasing agents and buyers.  You don't HAVE to go this route, but in line next to the guy that has it, and you don't, he'll get the job.

You can do job search for Buyer...Purchasing Agent...Inventory Management... all of these are the same thing... the person in charge of spending the company's money on things they sell retail, or use for fabrication or construction of their own products.  I've been a buyer for only 5 years... I found out way too late in my work/career how much fun this is.. and it isn't hard to do.

find a good company with good benefits, and start at the bottom if you have to... try looking into being an Expeditor... this is the person who tracks and follows orders that the Buyer places, to make sure the product reaches its destination.  this is a good base/start for a buyer-Purchasing Manager.

Good Luck.