Global Sourcing Managers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of global sourcing managers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for global sourcing managers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of global sourcing managers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for global sourcing managers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Global Sourcing Managers?
Do global sourcing managers need a degree? What kind of experience do global sourcing managers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for global sourcing managers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Global Sourcing Managers
Jobs Postings for Global Sourcing Managers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 44,349 (50%)
- No Education Listed: 24,515 (28%)
- Master's degree: 13,838 (16%)
- High School or GED: 3,793 (4%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,371 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of global sourcing managers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 50% of positions. In 28% of job listings no education level was listed and in 16% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Global Sourcing Managers
Jobs Postings for Global Sourcing Managers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 1,528 (4%)
- 2-3 Years: 8,369 (19%)
- 4-6 Years: 19,134 (44%)
- 7-9 Years: 7,801 (18%)
- 10+ Years: 6,549 (15%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for global sourcing managers. In 44% of job postings for Global Sourcing Managers, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 19% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 7-9 years of experience was sought in 18% of job postings for global sourcing managers.
What Kind of Degree Do Global Sourcing Managers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for global sourcing managers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 8 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective global sourcing managers, and in 2021 a total of 45,011 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective global sourcing managers.
Top Degree Programs for Global Sourcing Managers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Global Sourcing Managers (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,128 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. | 10,924 |
| Operations Management and Supervision. | 7,115 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 4,791 |
| Fashion Merchandising. | 3,644 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,128 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. | 10,924 |
| Operations Management and Supervision. | 7,115 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 4,791 |
| Fashion Merchandising. | 3,644 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management. | 1,058 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Global Sourcing Managers
Build a strong foundation of real-world business knowledge suitable for a variety of career options in your industry of choice.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Build on your associate's degree and improve efficiency by designing and developing effective supply chains.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Improve product workflow, streamline operational efficiency, and “green” your business in today’s global business environment.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Global Sourcing Managers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by global sourcing managers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for global sourcing managers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Global Sourcing Managers
Based on 72,945 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Global Sourcing Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | 37,379 | 51% |
| Purchasing | 32,144 | 44% |
| Supply Chain | 22,559 | 31% |
| Merchandising | 16,097 | 22% |
| General Line Of Merchandise | 15,955 | 22% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Global Sourcing Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 31,659 | 43% |
| Communications | 29,770 | 41% |
| Negotiation | 27,153 | 37% |
| Operations | 24,648 | 34% |
| Sales | 24,613 | 34% |
Based on 72,945 job postings related to global sourcing managers, procurement was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 51% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for purchasing, supply chain, merchandising, general line of merchandise and project management were also highly sought.
As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for global sourcing managers, followed by communications, negotiation, operations, sales and leadership.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | 37,379 | 51% |
| Purchasing | 32,144 | 44% |
| Supply Chain | 22,559 | 31% |
| Merchandising | 16,097 | 22% |
| General Line Of Merchandise | 15,955 | 22% |
| Project Management | 15,558 | 21% |
| Strategic Sourcing | 15,223 | 21% |
| Finance | 13,151 | 18% |
| Stocking Merchandise | 11,496 | 16% |
| Supplier Relationship Management | 9,907 | 14% |
| Supply Chain Management | 9,435 | 13% |
| Procurement Management | 9,146 | 13% |
| Request For Proposal | 9,083 | 12% |
| Supplier Performance Management | 8,987 | 12% |
| Inventory Management | 8,862 | 12% |
| Contract Management | 8,051 | 11% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 7,643 | 10% |
| Category Management | 7,273 | 10% |
| Supplier Management | 7,091 | 10% |
| Strategic Procurement | 6,963 | 10% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 31,659 | 43% |
| Communications | 29,770 | 41% |
| Negotiation | 27,153 | 37% |
| Operations | 24,648 | 34% |
| Sales | 24,613 | 34% |
| Leadership | 24,327 | 33% |
| Customer Service | 15,230 | 21% |
| Planning | 15,012 | 21% |
| Problem Solving | 13,806 | 19% |
| Microsoft Excel | 13,526 | 19% |
| Positivity | 12,407 | 17% |
| Detail Oriented | 11,851 | 16% |
| Influencing Skills | 10,355 | 14% |
| Microsoft Office | 10,314 | 14% |
| Presentations | 10,102 | 14% |
| Writing | 9,336 | 13% |
| Innovation | 8,343 | 11% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 8,209 | 11% |
| Forecasting | 8,071 | 11% |
| Coordinating | 7,728 | 11% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about global sourcing managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for global sourcing managers.
What do global sourcing managers do?
How much do global sourcing managers make?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.