Wholesale & Retail Buyers
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
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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
high school diploma/GED
usually needed
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Explore More
- Buyers & Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Purchasing Agents
- Purchasing Managers
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing
- Securities, Commodities, & Financial Services Sales Agents
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about wholesale and retail buyers.