Wholesale & Retail Buyers

merchandise information service enterprising product sale client sale record contract trend

Buyer, Grocery Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Trader

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Business

  • sales and marketing
  • customer service

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • bringing people together to solve differences
  • talking people into changing their minds or their behavior

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Stress Tolerance

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • SAP software Hot Technology In Demand

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Point of sale POS software

  • Plexis Software Plexis POS
  • Windward Software Windward System Five

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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