Career Definition of a Materials Coordinator
Materials coordinators, also known as materials managers, supervise the movement of goods between a company's departments. They may also supervise the flow of materials between distributors, suppliers, and other business partners. Coordinators are expected to make business decisions based on a complete assessment of costs, inventory levels, work progress reports, and other efficiency indicators.
| Educational Requirements | Bachelor's degree preferred |
| Job Skills | Comfortable leading others, expert knowledge of quality control and resources, and a general knowledge of typical business practice |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $127,150 (all purchasing managers) |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031)* | -6% decline (all purchasing managers) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Many purchasing managers hold bachelor's degrees, although it is possible to gain access to the field through extensive experience. There are a number of certifications that a worker looking to gain access to this field can undertake, although not all employers will require certification. Some certification programs, such as the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) certification as awarded by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), require applicants to have a bachelor's degree prior to starting the course.
Required Skills
Materials managers are comfortable leading others and are experts on quality control and managing resources. General knowledge of sound business and management principles strategies is also helpful.
Career and Economic Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the employment of purchasing managers working in the U.S. is expected to show 6% decline between 2021-2031. While salary is largely dependent upon the size and success of the employer, the median annual salary earned by purchasing managers was $127,150 in May 2021, according to the BLS.
Alternate Career Options
Those looking to become employed in this field may also want to consider:
Wholesale and Retail Buyer
Closely connected to the occupation of purchasing managers, these buyers purchase goods to resell to consumers. Buyers and purchasing agents, including those in wholesale and retail buying, were paid an annual median wage of $63,470 in 2021, per the BLS. A 7% decline in employment growth is expected for all buyers and purchasing agents.
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representative
While a high school education usually suffices for these reps, those selling scientific or technical products normally need a bachelor's degree for selling manufacturers' and wholesalers' goods to businesses and organizations. An average increase of 4% in jobs was forecast by the BLS from 2021-2031. A median salary of $94,840 per year was earned by wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives including scientific and technical products in 2021, and a median annual wage of $61,600 for others, according to the BLS.
