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Retail

Purchasing Manager

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

Annual openings

111

Median wage

$171,250

Typical education

Education not reported

Growth 2026–2032

+10%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Education not reported

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. Work experience as a Supervisor is highly valued.

Employer competency information

Feedback from employers identifies the following competencies as being critical to support a successful move up to the Manager level

  • Planning & Organizing — Plan and organize the successful completion of tasks and projects for multiple teams; set expectations for team members and hold them accountable.
  • Personnel & Human Resources and Interpersonal Skills — Understand behaviors (Psychology) of team members; motivate, empower and get a diverse team to work well together; lead and manage staff; deal with others with fairness and integrity; and hire and fill skills gaps effectively.
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, & Decision Making — Continue to elevate these skills for use in activities that cross teams, including strategic thinking and vision setting across an organization.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
  2. Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
  3. Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
  4. Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
  5. Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
  6. Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
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