The CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide, in partnership with Hays, is based on an annual survey of 5,000+ procurement and supply professionals and analyses trends in talent recruitment and retention, including trends by job level.
According to the latest guide, managerial procurement professionals (those at “managing” level) are in demand, have a high bonus entitlement, and need both negotiation and supplier management skills to thrive.
What is a “managing” level professional?
“Managing” level professionals are those who oversee the workload of a team and contribute to both planning and decision-making. Responsibilities include conducting team reviews and resolving performance and organisational issues.
Here are some typical roles at “managing” level:
- Category Manager
- Contracts Manager
- Logistics Manager
- Procurement/Purchasing Manager
- Senior Buyer
- Sourcing Manager
If this sounds like you, then keep reading for the latest insights tailored to your job level.
Eight insights that matter for managerial-level professionals
1. You need excellent negotiation and supplier management skills
The skill ranked as most important for managerial professionals globally is negotiation.
Those operating at this level need first-class negotiation skills to thrive and must also have a mastery in supplier relationship management – the second most important skill for managerial professionals globally. Leadership is another key skill – 28% of those at “managing” level think this.
2. You’re roughly 70% likely to get a bonus
In five of the seven regions surveyed last year, the average bonus eligibility for those at “managing” level was between 51% and 77%. By comparison, entry-level procurement professionals (those at “delivering” level) are just 50% likely to receive a bonus. Progressing to a managerial role in procurement clearly increases your chance of getting a bonus. The trend continues for those at “leading” and “influencing” levels (the next levels up).
3. Salary, career progression and pursuit of sustainable/ethical practices are your main drivers for changing job
Increasing proportions of procurement and supply professionals are looking to move jobs. In the Middle East and North Africa, the proportion of people who are looking to move is as high as 60%.
For those at “managing” level, salary is one of the top reasons for changing jobs, along with career progression. In sub-Saharan Africa, a striking 90% of managerial professionals are looking to move jobs in search of companies known for ethical practices, sustainable practices and/or ethical sourcing.
As sustainability and ethics move up the agenda for procurement professionals, it’s encouraging to see these priorities growing for those at the management level.
4. You can earn more in the private sector
Our UK survey findings show that managerial professionals in the private sector earn approximately 8% more than those in the public sector. With private-sector professionals at “managing” level reporting an average salary of £50,899, and public-sector professionals, £46,532.
5. Demand for “managing” level professionals is rising
The proportion of UK organisations looking to recruit managerial professionals was at 31% in 2024 (30% in 2023). By comparison, demand for those at other job levels in procurement, in the UK, decreased between 2023 and 2024. This rise in demand for managers, coupled with the fact that “managing” professionals, are the second most sought after by job level (after “delivering” professionals) shows people at your level are highly desirable.
6. Having MCIPS enables you to earn more
Managerial procurement professionals in the UK with MCIPS earn roughly 16% more than those without MCIPS. The average salary for “managing” level professionals with MCIPS is £54,875 and the average salary for those without is £46,362. Having MCIPS isn’t just a way to earn more; the designation can also help you to develop and fine tune in-demand skills and behaviours, such as negotiation and supplier management.
7. Sourcing manager is the best-paying role at your level
“Managing” level roles in the UK pay on average between £39,154 and £52,828. To maximise your earning capacity, you could consider aiming for the role of sourcing manager, which is the highest paid position at your level in the UK, with an average salary of £52,828. The role of procurement/purchasing manager is just behind it, with an average UK salary of £51,632, followed by category manager (£51,090).
8. Supply chain executives have the best chance of getting a bonus
Among managerial level professionals, the position of supply chain executive offers the greatest chance for a bonus. Of those surveyed at “managing” level in the UK, an impressive 73% report being eligible for a bonus, by comparison to 46% of those working as a category manager.
Use our salary calculator to benchmark your role better
For a practical sense of what this all means for your role, use our salary calculator to find out what you’re worth and to compare yourself to others in the profession. The salary calculator provides average salaries for procurement and supply roles globally and filtered not only by job level, but by region, gender and sector. This instructional video gives a breakdown of how to use the calculator.