Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

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Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Careers / Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Summary Description


	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. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Art Dealer

2.	Buyer

3.	Buyer Assistant

4.	Category Development Manager

5.	Category Manager

6.	Commodity Buyer

7.	Commodity Manager

8.	Contracts Specialist

9.	Fashion Buyer

10.	Fur Buyer

11.	Gold Buyer

12.	Grocery Buyer

13.	Head of Merchandise Buying

14.	Importer

15.	Importer Exporter

16.	Internal Wholesaler

17.	Jobber

18.	Merchandise Buyer

19.	Merchandise for Resale Purchasing Agent

20.	Merchandise Manager

21.	Merchandise Planner

22.	Merchant

23.	Print Buyer

24.	Procurement Buyer

25.	Procurement Manager

26.	Procurement Specialist

27.	Product Manager

28.	Purchaser

29.	Purchasing Coordinator

30.	Purchasing Specialist

31.	Purveyor

32.	Resident Buyer

33.	Retail Buyer

34.	Sustainability Purchasing Agent

35.	Technical Buyer

36.	Tie Buyer

37.	Trader

38.	Tradesman

39.	Wholesale and Retail Merchant

40.	Wholesale Buyer

Job Tasks

	Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers. Purchase stocks of merchandise or supplies.

	Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers. Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.

	Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased. Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.

	Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness. Purchase products or services.

	Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.

	Recommend mark-up rates, markdown rates, or merchandise selling prices. Determine the value of goods or services. Advise others on business or operational matters.

	Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel. Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.

	Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise. Authorize financial actions. Disburse funds from clients accounts to creditors.

	Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed. Analyze market conditions or trends. Analyze consumer trends.

	Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products. Obtain information about goods or services.

	Train or supervise sales or clerical staff. Train personnel to enhance job skills. Supervise employees.

	Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield. Determine the value of goods or services.

	Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run. Create marketing materials.

	Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media. Analyze market conditions or trends.

	Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise. Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.

	Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions. Research issues related to the environment or sustainable business practices.

	Compare transportation options to determine the most energy efficient options. Evaluate logistics methods to reduce environmental impact.

	Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers. Develop business or market strategies.

	Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers. Identify strategic business investment opportunities.

	Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products. Analyze consumer trends.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Buyers and Purchasing Agents
	Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review the quality of products.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Buyers and Purchasing Agents
	Most buyers and purchasing agents work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

The Rx symbol used in pharmacology was originally as astrological sign for the planet Jupiter. Its use originated in the Middle Ages when doctors believed that planets influenced health.

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