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Career Exploration

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Also called: 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.
On the job, you'll need:

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

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

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

Enterprising

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

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

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

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $67,620

Education

Bachelor's degree or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.