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Wholesale and Retail Buyer

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What is a Wholesale and Retail Buyer?

Example of Wholesale & Retail Buyer Job 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.

List of Wholesale & Retail Buyer Job Duties

  • 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.
  • Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
  • Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
  • Compare transportation options to determine the most energy efficient options.
  • Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.

Skills Needed to be a Wholesale & Retail Buyer

These are the skills Wholesale and Retail Buyers say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

  • Category Manager
  • Print Buyer
  • Commodity Manager
  • Purveyor
  • Merchandise for Resale Purchasing Agent

Job Opportunities for Wholesale and Retail Buyers

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 123,300 jobs in the United States for Wholesale and Retail Buyer. 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.

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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
  • Facebook
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • Scheduling software
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Becoming a Wholesale & Retail Buyer

What kind of Wholesale and Retail Buyer requirements are there?

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What work experience do I need to become a Wholesale & Retail Buyer?

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Wholesale and Retail Buyer might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: Qfamily via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

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