What Does a Purchasing Coordinator Do?
A purchasing coordinator is responsible for supporting procurement operations by processing purchase orders, coordinating with vendors, and maintaining accurate purchasing records. They ensure that materials, supplies, and services are ordered and delivered on schedule, helping the organization meet production, service, or project timelines. Purchasing coordinators also assist with reviewing requisitions, verifying pricing, and tracking deliveries.
In addition to order management, a purchasing coordinator communicates with internal departments to confirm needs, supports inventory control teams, and ensures compliance with procurement policies. They monitor supplier performance, resolve delivery discrepancies, and maintain organized records of purchasing activity. By providing reliable support to procurement managers and buyers, purchasing coordinators help organizations reduce costs, improve efficiency, and maintain strong vendor relationships.
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Purchasing Coordinator Core Responsibilities
- Process purchase orders and ensure accuracy in pricing and quantities
- Communicate with vendors regarding orders, deliveries, and discrepancies
- Track shipments and monitor delivery schedules
- Maintain purchasing records, reports, and filing systems
- Verify requisitions and confirm department requirements before processing
- Support inventory management and restocking activities
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and company standards
- Assist procurement managers and buyers with administrative tasks
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with procurement software and ERP systems
- Strong knowledge of purchase order and invoicing processes
- Basic understanding of supply chain and inventory management
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry
- Effective communication and vendor relationship skills
- Organizational and multitasking abilities
- Problem-solving and adaptability
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field preferred; associate’s degree with relevant experience accepted
Certifications
- Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) recommended
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) recommended for career advancement
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–3 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or purchasing support
- Experience working with ERP or procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite
- Familiarity with vendor management and compliance practices
National Average Salary
Purchasing coordinator salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Purchasing Coordinator is:
$57,136
Sample Job Description Templates for Purchasing Coordinators
Entry-Level Purchasing Coordinator
Position Overview
We are seeking an entry-level purchasing coordinator to assist with purchase order processing, vendor communication, and inventory support. This role is designed for recent graduates or professionals entering the procurement field who want to gain hands-on experience in purchasing operations.
Responsibilities
- Process basic purchase orders and ensure accuracy in pricing and quantities
- Communicate with vendors to confirm order details and delivery schedules
- Track shipments and update order status in internal systems
- Assist with filing, recordkeeping, and purchasing documentation
- Support procurement managers with administrative tasks
- Help monitor inventory levels and flag shortages
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic knowledge of purchasing or supply chain principles
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
- Familiarity with data entry and reporting tools
Soft skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn and take direction from senior staff
Education
- Associate’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field required; bachelor’s degree preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or administrative experience in purchasing or supply chain
- Exposure to ERP or procurement software
Junior Purchasing Coordinator
Position Overview
We are hiring a junior purchasing coordinator to process purchase orders, maintain vendor communications, and support procurement activities with limited supervision. This role requires foundational procurement experience and the ability to manage routine purchasing tasks.
Responsibilities
- Review requisitions and create accurate purchase orders
- Communicate with suppliers regarding order status and discrepancies
- Maintain purchasing records and support audit readiness
- Assist with tracking budgets and monitoring vendor performance
- Coordinate with internal departments to confirm purchasing needs
- Support cost-saving initiatives and vendor negotiations as needed
Requirements
Hard skills
- Working knowledge of purchase order and invoicing processes
- Familiarity with ERP systems or procurement software
- Ability to generate reports and track purchasing metrics
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Effective communication and vendor relationship abilities
- Problem-solving and adaptability in dynamic environments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field required
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of purchasing or supply chain experience
- CPP certification in progress or recommended
Mid-Level Purchasing Coordinator
Position Overview
We are seeking a mid-level purchasing coordinator to independently manage purchasing activities, ensure data accuracy, and support vendor relationship management. This role requires solid procurement knowledge and the ability to contribute to efficiency improvements.
Responsibilities
- Manage purchase orders, vendor communication, and delivery schedules
- Monitor inventory levels and coordinate replenishment activities
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and financial guidelines
- Analyze purchasing data and prepare reports for management
- Collaborate with suppliers to resolve discrepancies and improve service
- Assist procurement managers in identifying cost-saving opportunities
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong knowledge of procurement processes and best practices
- Proficiency with ERP or supply chain management systems
- Ability to analyze purchasing data and identify trends
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Clear communication with vendors and internal stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple priorities independently
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of procurement or purchasing coordination experience
- CPP or CSCP certification recommended
Senior Purchasing Coordinator
Position Overview
We are hiring a senior purchasing coordinator to oversee complex purchasing activities, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with organizational procurement standards. This role requires advanced procurement experience and the ability to contribute to strategy and vendor negotiations.
Responsibilities
- Lead purchasing activities and oversee order processing for large or critical vendors
- Mentor and train entry-level and junior purchasing coordinators
- Review and approve purchase orders for accuracy and compliance
- Manage vendor relationships and negotiate favorable terms
- Support audits and ensure adherence to organizational policies
- Develop process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced knowledge of procurement policies and contract requirements
- Strong ERP system and reporting tool expertise
- Vendor negotiation and relationship management skills
Soft skills
- Leadership and mentoring abilities
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Effective communication with executives, vendors, and teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field required; master’s degree preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5–7 years of purchasing or procurement experience
- CPP or CSCP certification strongly recommended
Lead Purchasing Coordinator
Position Overview
We are seeking a lead purchasing coordinator to provide direction across the purchasing team, ensure adherence to procurement best practices, and collaborate with management on strategic sourcing initiatives. This role combines leadership responsibilities with advanced purchasing expertise.
Responsibilities
- Supervise purchasing coordinators and allocate daily tasks
- Oversee order processing, vendor communications, and compliance checks
- Review purchasing records and approve documentation
- Collaborate with procurement managers on vendor negotiations and contracts
- Develop training materials and mentor team members
- Identify and implement process improvements to optimize efficiency
Requirements
Hard skills
- Mastery of purchasing processes, ERP systems, and compliance requirements
- Strong contract review and vendor negotiation abilities
- Advanced reporting and data analysis skills
Soft skills
- Leadership and coaching skills
- Strategic thinking and organizational planning
- Excellent communication with vendors and internal teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree recommended in business or supply chain
Preferred Qualifications
- 7–10 years of purchasing or procurement experience with leadership responsibilities
- CPP, CSCP, or equivalent certification strongly preferred