Wholesale & Retail Buyers
Bakery Buyer, Buyer, Frozen Food Buyer, Grocery Buyer
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:
- Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
- Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
- Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
Knowledge
Business
- management
- customer service
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
- manufacture and distribution of products
Math and Science
- arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Skills
Basic Skills
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
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
Ideas and Logic
- use rules to solve problems
- notice when problems happen
Math
- choose the right type of math to solve a problem
- add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Self-Confidence
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
- Integrity
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 2 of 4)
bachelor's degree or
associate's degree or other 2-year degree
usually needed
associate's degree or other 2-year degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Buyers & Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Procurement Clerks
- Purchasing Agents
- Purchasing Managers
- 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 & Retail Buyers.