The administration and purchasing departments play a key role in the daily functioning of companies, and their significance does not diminish despite the dynamic changes in the labor market. As per the latest report from Grafton Recruitment, although the demand for employees in this area is lower than in many other sectors, organizations are still seeking specialists with experience and administrative process management skills. Proposed salaries also increased in 2024, especially for positions requiring expansive organizational knowledge and analytical abilities.
Demand for Strategic Roles
Data analysis shows that the employment rate in administration and purchasing departments is 0.80, compared to the market average of 1.04 for all sectors. Though this means reduced recruitment pressure compared to other departments, employers are still looking for professionals capable of optimizing processes and managing work organization effectively.
Changes in the market are leading to an increasing need for flexibility and ability to work in a complex business environment from candidates. Proficiency in modern data management tools, the ability to coordinate multiple processes simultaneously, and the ability to adjust activities to the current needs of the company are becoming increasingly important.
“Administration and purchasing department is the foundation of a smoothly operating organization. Even though many processes are automated today, the role of specialized employees remains key. Employers expect not only standard administrative procedures knowledge but also data analysis skills, cost optimization, and effective internal communication management. High-class specialists in this field constitute enormous value for companies, and this is reflected in increasingly better employment conditions,” says Iga Jasińska, Recruitment Consultant at Grafton Recruitment.
Administration and Purchasing Department Salaries
Offered salary levels in the administration and purchasing departments depend on job responsibilities, location, and employee experience. Department assistants can expect offers between PLN 5,500 gross in Lodz up to PLN 7,000 in Krakow. For receptionists, the offered rates range from PLN 4,800 in Katowice to PLN 8,000 in Warsaw, while secretaries can receive salaries from PLN 5,500 to PLN 8,000 in the largest cities.
Executive roles show more noticeable differences in offered salary brackets. Office managers can expect from PLN 8,000 in Lodz to PLN 14,000 in the capital, and administration managers – from PLN 8,000 to PLN 14,000 gross. Those in personal assistants and executive assistants roles, who support boards and key managers, receive salary proposals in the range of PLN 7,000–13,000 gross, depending on the location.
Salaries in purchasing departments are higher. Managers responsible for this area can expect salaries from PLN 10,000 to PLN 20,000 gross, and HSE specialists get salary offers in the range of PLN 7,500 to PLN 13,000 gross. Facility managers, who manage the corporate infrastructure, receive proposals from PLN 12,000 in smaller cities to PLN 20,000 in Warsaw.
Salary Dynamics
The year 2024 brought clear increases in offered salaries for many positions in administration and purchasing. The largest increase was noted for HSE specialists (+15.6%), resulting from the growing importance of safety and compliance in companies. Significant increases also applied to personal assistants and executive assistants (+11.7%) and office managers (+8.2%), stemming from the greater role of these functions in managing organizational structures.
Smaller but still significant increases were noted among receptionists (+6%) and administration specialists (+6.9%), while administration manager salaries grew by 7.3%. The least change occurred in the area of fleet and order management, where increases ranged from 2.5% to 4.4%.
“Changes in salary levels show how the role of administration and purchasing departments in companies is evolving. Employees in key positions are increasingly fulfilling strategic functions, supporting organizational efficiency and cost optimization. Companies recognize their significance and strive to provide competitive employment conditions that not only attract but also retain the best specialists,” emphasizes Ewa Michalska, Operations Director at Grafton Recruitment.
About the Report
The Grafton Recruitment report was based on a broad spectrum of market data and its own analysis. The data covers salaries for 2024 and forecasts for the beginning of 2025 and has been collected based on actual offers presented to candidates by Grafton Recruitment clients and salaries of recruitment process participants. The analysis included 499,791 unique job postings, which were deduplicated to increase accuracy. Additionally, data from one of the largest job posting portals in Poland, covering the years 2019–2024, was used. The report is the result of comprehensive research that allows for accurate reflection of the real situation in the labor market.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/dzial-administracji-i-zakupow-w-2024-zmiany-na-rynku-pracy-i-wzrost-wynagrodzen-12125
