The Largest Buyer Salary Report 2025 in DACH
Anonymous. Independent. Exclusive.
Since 2013, Kloepfel Group has analysed salaries in procurement and supply chain management annually. In 2025, 1,936 employees from the DACH region participated. The report shows salary differences by industry, region, and company size, and illuminates factors such as position, experience, education, AI, and digitalisation. Get all relevant insights for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Make more of your career by using the findings from the Buyer Salary Report – to position yourself better and go into conversations more successfully. This year, the exclusive partner for the entire study is procure.ch.
- Exclusive insights: Expert salary benchmarks specifically for the DACH region
- Relevant benchmarks: Current data on salaries, role profiles, industries, career paths, and further training opportunities.
- Valuable guidance: Supports specialists and managers with career orientation and negotiation.
Purchasing Manager Salary Report 2025
This is why participating in the Kloepfel Salary Report 2025 is worthwhile for you:
- Quick & anonymous: The survey only takes about 5 minutes and is completely anonymous.
- Early access before publication: All participants will receive the full 2025 salary report exclusively before its official release.
- Exclusive bonus: Participants in the survey will receive an invitation to the Kloepfel Live webinar „AI in Procurement”.
- Industry-Specific Insights & Reports: All participants will also receive our current reports for the Automotive, Mechanical Engineering, and Retail sectors as a bonus.
The biggest
Buyer Salary Report
2025
- 0:55 min
The Largest Buyer Salary Report 2025 in DACH - Switzerland Sub-Report
Since 2013, the Kloepfel Group has annually analysed salaries in procurement and supply chain management. In 2025, 1,936 employees from the DACH region participated. Particularly pleasing: there are 718 fully completed questionnaires from Switzerland. The Partial report Switzerland shows salary differences by industry, region and company size and highlights factors such as position, experience, education, AI and digitalisation.
Make more of your career using the results from the Switzerland sub-report – position yourself better and approach conversations more successfully. This year's exclusive partner for the entire study is procure.ch.
- Exclusive Insights: Well-founded salary benchmarks specifically for Swiss procurement
- Relevant benchmarks: Current data on salaries, role profiles, industries, career paths, and further training opportunities.
- Valuable guidance: Supports specialists and managers with career orientation and negotiation.
Exclusive Partner:
procure.ch: News on Purchasing & Procurement – To the procure.ch newsletter
Interim Report Switzerland 2025
Why is a freight cost potential analysis important?
Within the scope of the potential analysis, we provide the customer with a neutral compass. The aim is to give the customer clear guidance that enables them to make sound decisions about potential optimisations and savings in the area of freight costs. On average, they achieve 16.5 % cost savings, which therefore contribute 1:1 to profit growth.
What savings are possible?
On average, projects achieve savings of approximately 16.5 %. The results vary by area, with savings in road transport roughly matching this average. In the volatile sea freight sector, savings can also be over 20 %.
What does it mean to reduce freight costs on a success basis?
Companies only pay us a fee if actual savings in freight costs are achieved. This model builds our confidence in the effectiveness of the measures derived from the potential analysis. In many projects, our conservative, realistic analysis results are even surpassed.
When should one conduct a freight cost potential analysis?
A freight cost potential analysis should be carried out as early as possible. The sooner potentials are identified, the sooner they can be realised. This is particularly relevant in the classic general cargo sector, which is found in almost every company. Annual contracts are often concluded here, which means that early savings over the period of one year lead to financial benefits.
How is the data collected for the analysis?
We are adopting a lean approach to gather the necessary data, primarily communicating with the responsible individuals within the business area being analysed. This typically includes the purchasing manager and/or the logistics manager. It is important to note the confidentiality maintained through Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). This means we do not exchange information with suppliers without the customer's consent. The data collected includes classic information such as rates, sample invoices, and a creditors list. This process is deliberately designed to be efficient, enabling a quick and effective analysis while conserving the customer's resources.
How long does such a potential analysis take?
Data collection for the areas to be analysed comes first. Sometimes the required data can be procured within a few hours. In other cases, it may take a few days, especially if the queries are complex or if the client has initially supplied incomplete data that needs to be updated or supplemented. Generally, we allow approximately one week for data collection, especially for larger projects. Including the time for analysis and recommendations, the entire process can take around two to three weeks, depending on the availability of those involved and the data.
Welche spezifischen Tools setzt Kloepfel Consulting ein, um Einsparungen zu identifizieren?
The collection of data for the potential analysis is carried out in close cooperation with the companies, taking into account the specifications and needs of the respective project. To carry out a robust analysis, we rely on specific tools.
Firstly, we use the tendering tool TI Contract from Transporeon. This tendering tool allows for immense reach when tendering transport services. This enables us to obtain many bids quickly and draw benchmarks for potential analysis from them.
In the sea and air freight sector, we use an expensive external benchmark tool called Xeneta. This instrument is specifically designed for these modes of transport. Its specialisation and up-to-date nature in the volatile transport environment make it a valuable tool for identifying savings potential. It allows us to draw precise and period-consistent benchmarks. Customers benefit from the benchmarks generated by this tool without having to bear its high costs themselves.
While we procure long-term rates with an average validity of one year in the road and parcel, courier and express parcel (CEP) sectors, we consider short-term price benchmarks for sea and air freight due to the volatile market with Xeneta.
We also benefit from our extensive data pool, which is fed by the experiences of around 50 projects annually. This data pool enables us to create up-to-date and relevant benchmarks for road, sea, and air freight, as well as for courier, express, and parcel services.
The timeliness and scope of the data are crucial for identifying relevant and reliable saving potentials.
How does communication and collaboration with clients work during the analysis phase?
Communication and collaboration with companies during the analysis occur in close coordination and are completely transparent. As a rule, collaboration is very cooperative and constructive, as all parties benefit from the analysis. Fundamentally, during the analyses, we aim to conserve the client's resources as much as possible.
In what way are the results of the potential analysis presented, and how detailed and reliable are they?
The results of the potential analysis are presented via a very detailed PowerPoint presentation. This presentation visually derives the figures and enables companies to understand precisely how the benchmarks have been arrived at. The results are derived with great precision; for example, Euros per kilometre are used as benchmarks for complete lorries, and Euros per pallet for general cargo. We generally proceed conservatively, but realistically.
What are the typical client reactions when the results are presented to them?
Customers' typical reactions to the results presented vary. Some customers immediately confirm the results because they align with their own hunches. The range extends from immediate acceptance and the desire to implement the recommended measures as quickly as possible, to critical questioning, which is also important.
Ultimately, we can bring everyone on board, as we can explain objective benchmarks and clearly derive suitable measures. This way, we not only identify potential savings but also motivate everyone to realise them.
Welche Schritte empfiehlt Kloepfel Consulting Unternehmen nach der Analyse zur Implementierung der Ergebnisse?
Following the analysis, we recommend that our clients proceed with the project to realise the identified savings potential. We typically work on a success-oriented basis. The implementation of these recommendations is carried out through close collaboration in the various phases of the project, including tenders and negotiations with service providers. Furthermore, the potential analysis demonstrates our capabilities and working methods, thereby earning the client's trust.
How is project success secured in the long term?
Project success is secured in the long term by working closely with the company over a period of, on average, two years to make continuous adjustments and optimisations. This includes responding to market changes, making adjustments in case of any issues with service providers, and conducting re-tenders after one year. This continuous support and the success-dependent model, where Kloepfel Consulting participates in the savings, ensures that the improvements and savings achieved are sustained in the long term.
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Why is a freight cost potential analysis important?
Within the scope of the potential analysis, we provide the customer with a neutral compass. The aim is to give the customer clear guidance that enables them to make sound decisions about potential optimisations and savings in the area of freight costs. On average, they achieve 16.5 % cost savings, which therefore contribute 1:1 to profit growth.
What savings are possible?
On average, projects achieve savings of approximately 16.5 %. The results vary by area, with savings in road transport roughly matching this average. In the volatile sea freight sector, savings can also be over 20 %.
What does it mean to reduce freight costs on a success basis?
Companies only pay us a fee if actual savings in freight costs are achieved. This model builds our confidence in the effectiveness of the measures derived from the potential analysis. In many projects, our conservative, realistic analysis results are even surpassed.
When should one conduct a freight cost potential analysis?
A freight cost potential analysis should be carried out as early as possible. The sooner potentials are identified, the sooner they can be realised. This is particularly relevant in the classic general cargo sector, which is found in almost every company. Annual contracts are often concluded here, which means that early savings over the period of one year lead to financial benefits.
How is the data collected for the analysis?
We are adopting a lean approach to gather the necessary data, primarily communicating with the responsible individuals within the business area being analysed. This typically includes the purchasing manager and/or the logistics manager. It is important to note the confidentiality maintained through Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). This means we do not exchange information with suppliers without the customer's consent. The data collected includes classic information such as rates, sample invoices, and a creditors list. This process is deliberately designed to be efficient, enabling a quick and effective analysis while conserving the customer's resources.
How long does such a potential analysis take?
Data collection for the areas to be analysed comes first. Sometimes the required data can be procured within a few hours. In other cases, it may take a few days, especially if the queries are complex or if the client has initially supplied incomplete data that needs to be updated or supplemented. Generally, we allow approximately one week for data collection, especially for larger projects. Including the time for analysis and recommendations, the entire process can take around two to three weeks, depending on the availability of those involved and the data.
Welche spezifischen Tools setzt Kloepfel Consulting ein, um Einsparungen zu identifizieren?
The collection of data for the potential analysis is carried out in close cooperation with the companies, taking into account the specifications and needs of the respective project. To carry out a robust analysis, we rely on specific tools.
Firstly, we use the tendering tool TI Contract from Transporeon. This tendering tool allows for immense reach when tendering transport services. This enables us to obtain many bids quickly and draw benchmarks for potential analysis from them.
In the sea and air freight sector, we use an expensive external benchmark tool called Xeneta. This instrument is specifically designed for these modes of transport. Its specialisation and up-to-date nature in the volatile transport environment make it a valuable tool for identifying savings potential. It allows us to draw precise and period-consistent benchmarks. Customers benefit from the benchmarks generated by this tool without having to bear its high costs themselves.
While we procure long-term rates with an average validity of one year in the road and parcel, courier and express parcel (CEP) sectors, we consider short-term price benchmarks for sea and air freight due to the volatile market with Xeneta.
We also benefit from our extensive data pool, which is fed by the experiences of around 50 projects annually. This data pool enables us to create up-to-date and relevant benchmarks for road, sea, and air freight, as well as for courier, express, and parcel services.
The timeliness and scope of the data are crucial for identifying relevant and reliable saving potentials.
How does communication and collaboration with clients work during the analysis phase?
Communication and collaboration with companies during the analysis occur in close coordination and are completely transparent. As a rule, collaboration is very cooperative and constructive, as all parties benefit from the analysis. Fundamentally, during the analyses, we aim to conserve the client's resources as much as possible.
In what way are the results of the potential analysis presented, and how detailed and reliable are they?
The results of the potential analysis are presented via a very detailed PowerPoint presentation. This presentation visually derives the figures and enables companies to understand precisely how the benchmarks have been arrived at. The results are derived with great precision; for example, Euros per kilometre are used as benchmarks for complete lorries, and Euros per pallet for general cargo. We generally proceed conservatively, but realistically.
What are the typical client reactions when the results are presented to them?
Customers' typical reactions to the results presented vary. Some customers immediately confirm the results because they align with their own hunches. The range extends from immediate acceptance and the desire to implement the recommended measures as quickly as possible, to critical questioning, which is also important.
Ultimately, we can bring everyone on board, as we can explain objective benchmarks and clearly derive suitable measures. This way, we not only identify potential savings but also motivate everyone to realise them.
Welche Schritte empfiehlt Kloepfel Consulting Unternehmen nach der Analyse zur Implementierung der Ergebnisse?
Following the analysis, we recommend that our clients proceed with the project to realise the identified savings potential. We typically work on a success-oriented basis. The implementation of these recommendations is carried out through close collaboration in the various phases of the project, including tenders and negotiations with service providers. Furthermore, the potential analysis demonstrates our capabilities and working methods, thereby earning the client's trust.
How is project success secured in the long term?
Project success is secured in the long term by working closely with the company over a period of, on average, two years to make continuous adjustments and optimisations. This includes responding to market changes, making adjustments in case of any issues with service providers, and conducting re-tenders after one year. This continuous support and the success-dependent model, where Kloepfel Consulting participates in the savings, ensures that the improvements and savings achieved are sustained in the long term.
10 Skills for an Exceptional Procurement Career
- 16:29 minutes
Webinar recording
"Salary Coaching for Buyers"
More input?
If you the Live Webinar If you missed it, you can now watch the entire recording comfortably here. In this webinar, we covered important topics on salary strategies and negotiations for buyers, which will provide you with valuable insights for your professional development.
Learn more about current salary structures, proven tips for successful negotiations, and how to strategically advance your career in procurement and supply chain management.
Salary coaching for buyers
- 16:29 minutes