International purchasing manager: salary, studies and missions

The role of an international purchasing manager is to manage a company's purchases (often of raw materials). To do this, they analyse the offer, select suppliers, and partners, draw up contracts, and negotiate prices and other parameters (delivery, lead times). This job often involves extensive travel abroad, requiring strong negotiation and sourcing skills.

The International Purchasing Manager establishes the purchasing policy for supplying the stocks of the organisation for which he or she works. It is up to the International Purchasing Manager to determine requirements in relation to production, as well as the costs and quantities needed to ensure that activities run smoothly. This includes strategic procurement and senior-level decision-making.

He or she is the guarantor of the quality of the products to be purchased: the aim is to ensure better profitability and value for money, often as a supervisor or director of purchasing operations. In the event of a dispute with a supplier, this professional will take on the role of negotiator, focusing on building strong supplier relationships and effective category management. Finally, they must maintain and update supplier databases and optimize procurement systems to streamline processes and ensure cost efficiency.

The main tasks of an international purchasing manager are as follows:

• Determining the company's merchandise requirements;
• Analysing and anticipating expenditure;
• Determine the cost of the product in relation to the financial investment;
• Find the right suppliers and negotiate prices, ensuring strategic sourcing;
• Determine the best delivery times;
• Prepare invitations to tender and select service providers;
• Draw up contracts and agreements with suppliers;
• Checking goods arrivals and returns.

This role often involves managing multiple categories, from commodities to specialized products, ensuring total cost management.

The skills required for the job of international purchasing manager are:

• Management and sales skills;
• IT skills, including systems analysis;
• Foreign languages; In terms of soft skills, this professional must have:
• Autonomy;
• A sense of responsibility;
• A sense of organisation and rigour;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Negotiating skills.

Additionally, being familiar with global supply chains and possessing strong project management capabilities is crucial. Knowledge in public procurement and cross-functional collaboration is also valuable.

emlyon business school's Global BBA is specially designed for high academic achievers. The diploma is a four-year degree conferring a state-approved degree. It offers innovative training based on experimentation and international immersion. This program is ideal for those looking to build a career as a global procurement manager.

The Master in Management – Grande Ecole (MiM) offered by emlyon business school awards a Master's degree over 2 to 3 years. Accessible with a Bachelor’s degree, this program of excellence in management offers you a gradual, tailor-made specialisation.

Designed to develop your entrepreneurial spirit, this program offers you numerous opportunities for work placements, practical experience, "ADN" courses, and a professional community life. These opportunities prepare you for roles such as a procurement and supply manager, certified supply chain professional, or purchasing agent.

The MSc in Supply Chain & Operations Management is an in-depth 18-month program designed to propel your career in collaborative supply chain management and responsible purchasing. This program prepares you effectively to evolve in a global context and positions you to reach strategic positions within this ever-changing sector, including roles like global sourcing managers and export supervisors.

An international purchasing manager can earn an average of €2,000 gross per month at the start of their career. After a few years' experience, the average salary can rise to €6,000 gross per month, depending on the size of the organisation and the sector of activity. They may also receive significant allowances and bonuses for travelling abroad.

After a few years' experience, international purchasing managers can become brand managers or even sales directors. Others become export managers or take on leadership roles such as operations management or business administration, reflecting their experience in international supply chains and strategic sourcing.

Future international business experts can turn to emlyon business school, a school with an international dimension founded over 150 years ago. Recognised by the French government, this private higher education institution has developed an early-makers approach to teaching. This unique approach is based on projects and experimentation that complement traditional academic knowledge. Through collective and individual learning experiences, students acquire the skills they need to meet current and future challenges in the world of business and management. The programs are designed to create global market leaders who excel in procurement and supply, inventory management, and relationship management, ensuring they are well-prepared for roles that the job requires.