Will “Contracts Specialist” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

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.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 13-1022.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 60,040.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 28.00
• Currently, there are 109,440 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products”.

Also Known As…

• Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
• Trader
• Retail Buyer
• Purchasing Coordinator
• Purchaser
• Product Manager
• Procurement Specialist
• Merchandise Manager
• Grocery Buyer
• Category Manager
• Buyer
• Wholesale Buyer
• Wholesale and Retail Merchant
• Tradesman
• Tie Buyer
• Technical Buyer
• Sustainability Purchasing Agent
• Resident Buyer
• Purveyor
• Purchasing Specialist
• Procurement Manager
• Procurement Buyer
• Print Buyer
• Merchant
• Merchandise Planner
• Merchandise for Resale Purchasing Agent
• Merchandise Buyer
• Jobber
• Internal Wholesaler
• Importer Exporter
• Importer
• Head of Merchandise Buying
• Gold Buyer
• Fur Buyer
• Fashion Buyer
• Commodity Manager
• Commodity Buyer
• Category Development Manager
• Buyer Assistant
• Art Dealer

Tasks for “Contracts Specialist”

• Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.
• Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
• Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
• Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
• Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
• Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
• Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• Recommend mark-up rates, markdown rates, or merchandise selling prices.
• Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
• Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
• Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.
• Compare transportation options to determine the most energy efficient options.
• Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
• Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
• Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
• Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
• Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.

Related Technology & Tools

• Desktop computers
• Point of sale POS systems
• 10-key calculators
• Personal computers

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• Project management software
• Scheduling software
• Web browser software
• Product development management software
• Accounting software
• Millennium Software Atrex
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Sage ERP Accpac
• Inventory control systems
• Plexis Software Plexis POS
• Microsoft Excel
• Biztrak Business Solutions Biztrak
• Microsoft Outlook
• POSitive Software POSitive for Windows
• Word processing software
• Claritas ConsumerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Project
• JDA Software Group Advanced Warehouse Replenishment by E3
• Point of sale POS software
• Presentation software
• Graphics software
• Sourcing Simulator
• Email software
• Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Supply Planning Multi-Site Material Planner
• JDA Software Group Assortment Planning by Arthur
• SAP POS Data Management
• Contact management software
• Enterprise risk management software ERMS
• Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
• CAM Commerce Solutions Retail STAR Point of Sale POS
• Materials requirement planning MRP software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Microsoft Office
• Windward Software Windward System Five
• Infor Supply Chain Management
• Oracle Advanced Procurement
• Kliger-Weiss Infosystems
• Advanced Retail Management Systems Retail Pro
• Microsoft Access
• Specialized Business Solutions Keystroke POS
• Intuit QuickBooks