Salaried employees in purchasing: employee and salary development 2017

The digitalization of purchasing poses new challenges for Swiss companies, according to a finding of the study by procure.ch and ETH. According to the study, more than 65% of all companies surveyed see fundamental potential in a transition to "Purchasing 4.0", but only 10% have already successfully completed projects. A further 15% have made at least initial investments. The focus of these investments is mainly on the digitization of individual processes and workflows; only around 15% have not yet become active here at all, the study continues. This is associated with the increasing integration of suppliers and customers into purchasing processes. In these areas, initial cost savings can be achieved quickly. A second wave of investment to open up new business areas made possible by "Purchasing 4.0" is already on the horizon.

Basic salaries and bonuses

The survey also revealed that base salaries and bonus payments remain stable. The average base salary of the buyers surveyed was CHF 112,000, a slight increase on the CHF 108,300 in 2014. The proportion of people in higher pay grades (12%), with a base salary of over CHF 151,000, was increasing slightly. The amount of bonuses averaged CHF 7300, slightly more than the CHF 7200 in 2014, but only about 66% of buyers receive bonuses at all, a slight decrease. The study cites cell phones for private use (42%), discounted lunches (40%) and paid training and development (39%) as the most common additional fringe benefits.

Differences still exist depending on gender and industry, as the results of the survey show. For example, the basic salary for men (CHF 116 100) is higher than for women (CHF 93 750), but the gap seems to be closing slowly. In 2014, the difference between the genders was still CHF 25 800. Larger companies, with over 250 employees, pay 10% more than small and medium-sized companies.

The most money can be earned in the service sector, with an average income of around CHF 122,000, while trade lags well behind, with a comparatively modest CHF 105,300. Some sectors pay significantly higher basic salaries than others. The most popular here are "financial and insurance services" (CHF 135 100) and "information technology and telecommunications, broadcasting" (CHF 132 200); "automotive and other vehicle manufacturing" lags behind at an average of CHF 97 400.

In 2014, the median income in French-speaking Switzerland was slightly higher than in German-speaking Switzerland. This ratio reversed in 2017. In German-speaking Switzerland, the average base salary of CHF 112 700 is about 6.5% higher than in French-speaking Switzerland (CHF 105 700). The best salaries are paid in Geneva (CHF 133 800) and Basel (CHF 124 100).

Education and training in purchasing

Clear differences can also be seen with regard to professional qualifications. On average, buyers with a university degree earn around CHF 136,600, which is about 50% more than those with a federal certificate (CHF 90,700). A higher technical examination and a degree from a university of applied sciences also bring significant salary jumps. The level of education and training is also reflected in the function level achieved within purchasing. Significant salary differences can be seen between the functions of purchasing clerk (CHF 74,800), purchasing specialist (CHF 95,800), purchasing manager (CHF 124,800) and chief procurement officer (CHF 151,100).

The requirements profile of the buyer is changing toward more IT knowledge and analytical skills. Driven in part by advancing digitization, 96% of survey participants see significant changes in the requirements profile of the buyer. Swiss companies continue to consider reliable and independent work (98%), communication skills (97%), especially in higher positions, and the ability to work in a team (91%) to be the core competencies in purchasing. Solution-oriented work (97%) and analytical thinking skills (94%) have become more important compared to 2014. Specifically, more IT skills (54%) and technical expertise and industry knowledge (53%) are required. Buyers can no longer advance professionally without a good understanding of digitization.

Consequently, more than 80% of companies also attach great importance to further training in purchasing. For most purchasers (88%), further training pays off, for example in the form of a salary increase, better promotion prospects or simply job security.

Source and further information: www.procure.ch