Career Overview
Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Also Known As
- Buyer
- Grocery Buyer
- Procurement Specialist
- Trader
Alternate Job Titles
- Acquisition Specialist
- Art Dealer
- Buyer
- Buying Professional
- Category Planner
- Commodity Buyer
- Contract Sourcing Specialist
- Contracts Specialist
- Exporter
- Fashion Buyer
- Fur Buyer
- Gold Buyer
- Grocery Buyer
- Internal Wholesaler
- Merchandise Buyer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
- Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
- Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
- Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
- Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
- Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
- Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Negotiation
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Self-Confidence
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Eclipse IDE
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
Tools & Equipment
- 10-key calculators
- Desktop computers
- Personal computers
- Point of sale POS systems
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Procurement Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,510
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Purchasing Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $139,510
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $78,140
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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.