What is a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent?
Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent Job Description Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers.
Daily Life Of a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent
- Advise farm groups or growers on land preparation or livestock care techniques that will maximize the quantity and quality of production.
- Coordinate or direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and maintaining records.
- Calculate applicable government grain quotas.
- Estimate land production possibilities, surveying property and studying factors such as crop rotation history, soil fertility, or irrigation facilities.
- Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees.
- Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
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Qualities of a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent
Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
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.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Buyer
- Procurement Manager
- Hog Trader
- Cotton Buyer
- Livestock, Grain, Cotton and Other Farm Products Purchasing Agent
Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent Employment Estimates
There were about 13,700 jobs for Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent are Utah, Washington, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Mississippi, Ohio, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Tools & Technologies Used by Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Deltek Costpoint
- Inventory management systems
- Enterprise resource planning ERP system
How to Become a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent
What kind of Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent?
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Those who work as a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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