Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Career Overview

Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.

Also Known As

• Buyer
• Grain Buyer
• Grain Merchandiser
• Purchasing Agent

Alternate Job Titles

• Agriculture Industry Coordinator
• Agriculture Industry Specialist
• Buyer
• Buying Agent
• Cattle Broker
• Cattle Buyer
• Cattle Dealer
• Cattle Shipper
• Cattle Trader
• Cattleman
• Chicken Buyer
• Christmas Tree Contractor
• Clean Rice Broker
• Cotton Agent
• Cotton Broker

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees.
• Arrange for processing or resale of purchased products.
• Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
• Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products.
• Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
• Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mathematics
• Customer and Personal Service
• Transportation
• Economics and Accounting
• English Language
• Sales and Marketing
• Computers and Electronics
• Administration and Management

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Speaking
2. Critical Thinking
3. Active Listening

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Clarity
• Near Vision
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Expression

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Self-Confidence
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Relationships
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 10 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Amazon Web Services AWS software
• Atlassian JIRA
• Google Angular
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• 10-key calculators
• Bulk weighing systems
• Desktop computers
• Digital micrometers
• Grain testers
• Laptop computers
• Livestock scales
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers
• Precision rulers

Work Environment

• Telephone Conversations
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• E-Mail
• Contact With Others
• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.