Purchasing and Materials Manager
Works out an organisation's supply needs, buys the supplies and oversees receiving and warehousing.
Overview
The primary role of a Purchasing and Materials Manager is to collaborate with other managers and determine supply needs. They purchase the supplies according to the need of the industry. At times, they also coordinate and supervise receiving and warehousing procedures.
Where they work
- Production Units
- Private and Public Production Companies
- E-commerce Companies
- Courier Companies
- Cottage based Industries
- Shipping companies
- Military and so on
Work environment
The work timings are typically 5 to 6 days a week for 8 to 9 hours per day. Shift system is applicable.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to keep your things organised.
- You pay attention to details while working.
- You are comfortable communicating with others.
- You like to lead.
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream (preferably commerce)
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree (BBA/BBM) in Business Administration/business management
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree and follow it up with Master's (MBA) in the same discipline
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Management. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, New Delhi
- University of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Doon University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Department of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
- Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Raisoni Group of Institutions, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- SunRise University, Alwar, Rajasthan
- Army Institute of Management and Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Sharanabasava University, Gulbarga, Karnataka
- Arcade Business College, Patna, Bihar
- Oxbridge Business School, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Jyoti Nivas College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- National Institute of Business Excellence, Hosur, Tamil Nadu
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Management Trainee/Frontline Supervisor
- 2Purchasing and Materials Manager
- 3Senior Purchasing and Materials Manager
- 4Logistics Head
Related careers to explore
Inventory Manager
Directs inventory management — planning production, managing stock and scheduling the final product.
Indian Railway Stores Service
Procures the stock and non-stock items the Railways need to run trains safely and keep assets working.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Commerce, Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to leading.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Anusree Sen — The Deputy General Manager of the PDP Group, says that it took her a long time to prove her worth to her clients and her colleagues in this industry since she was a woman. She has completed an MBA in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration from Sikkim Manipal University. She first joined an international freight forwarding company as a Customer Service Executive and has grown from there.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 681 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Materials_Manager/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies is a private university but is printed under government institutes; it is listed under private here. The contents page lists this career on printed page 685, but the card is on 681. The same institute lists appear on the Inventory Manager card, where the National Institute of Business Excellence is placed at Bengaluru rather than Hosur.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.