What You Need to Know About Wholesale and Retail Buyer
Wholesale & Retail Buyer Job Description 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. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
A Day in the Life of a Wholesale & Retail Buyer
- Monitor competitors’ sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
- Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
- Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
- Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
- Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
- Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
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Wholesale & Retail Buyer Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Wholesale and Retail Buyers say are important on the job.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Wholesale & Retail Buyer Job Titles
- Trader
- Importer Exporter
- Purchasing Agent
- Sourcing Specialist
- Wholesale and Retail Merchant
Wholesale & Retail Buyer Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 123,300 jobs for Wholesale and Retail Buyer in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Wholesale and Retail Buyer. There will be an estimated 13,300 positions for Wholesale & Retail Buyer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Wholesale & Retail Buyer are Washington, Colorado, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What Tools & Technology do Wholesale and Retail Buyers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Wholesale and Retail Buyers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Scheduling software
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
How to Become a Wholesale & Retail Buyer
Are there Wholesale and Retail Buyers education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Wholesale & Retail Buyer?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Wholesale and Retail Buyer may also be interested in:
References:
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