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About This Career Path

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.

Environment

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

Also Known As

  • Ad placement buyer
  • Almonds grower representative
  • Category manager
  • Grain buyer
  • Grain merchandiser
  • Inventory manager
  • Media buyer
  • Procurement agent
  • Procurement specialist
  • Product merchandiser
  • Purchasing agent
  • Purchasing managers
  • Tobacco buyer
  • Director of materials
  • Director of strategic sourcing
  • Procurement officer
  • Purchasing supervisor
  • Advertising buyer
  • Buyer
  • Farm marketer
  • Grain division manager,
  • Grain origination specialist
  • Materials manager
  • Merchandise manager
  • Procurement manager
  • Product manager
  • Purchasing administrator
  • Purchasing manager
  • Supply chain manager
  • Commodity manager
  • Director of purchasing
  • Procurement manager
  • Purchasing director
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Retail, Sales & Marketing

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods.

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A Day In The Life

Retail, Sales & Marketing Industry

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Sample Career Roadmap

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Job Titles

Entry Level

JOB TITLE

Assistant or Junior Buyer

Mid Level

JOB TITLE

Buyer

Expert Level

JOB TITLE

Head Buyer

Supporting Programs

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Sort by:

Bachelor of General Studies
University of Arizona
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Bachelor of Science in Business with a Retail Fundamentals Certificate
University of Phoenix
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Business
Arizona Western College
 Associate's Degree  
  View Program
Business (Chinese Language and Culture)
ASU
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Business (Language and Culture)
ASU
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Business (Language and Culture), BA
Arizona State University
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Business Administration
University of Arizona
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Business Administration, BSBA
University of Arizona
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Business Management, BSBA
University of Arizona
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management
Cochise College
 Non-Credit  
  View Program
Fashion
ASU
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Fashion, BA
Arizona State University
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Management Certificate
Central Arizona College
 Credential  
  View Program
Marketing (Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications)
ASU
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Marketing (Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications), BS
Arizona State University
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Marketing (Professional Sales)
ASU
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Marketing (Professional Sales), BS
Arizona State University
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
Retail Management
Arizona Western College
 Credential  
  View Program
Retailing and Consumer Science, BS
University of Arizona
 Bachelor's Degree  
  View Program
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Top Expected Tasks

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

01

Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.

02

Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.

03

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

04

Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.

05

Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.

06

Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.

07

Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.

08

Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.

09

Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.

10

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

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.

KNOWLEDGE

Sales and Marketing

KNOWLEDGE

Customer and Personal Service

KNOWLEDGE

English Language

KNOWLEDGE

Mathematics

KNOWLEDGE

Administration and Management

SKILL

Negotiation

SKILL

Active Listening

SKILL

Critical Thinking

SKILL

Persuasion

SKILL

Speaking

ABILITY

Oral Comprehension

ABILITY

Oral Expression

ABILITY

Deductive Reasoning

ABILITY

Written Comprehension

ABILITY

Problem Sensitivity

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