Will “Purchasing 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
• 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
• Contracts Specialist
• Commodity Manager
• Commodity Buyer
• Category Development Manager
• Buyer Assistant
• Art Dealer

Tasks for “Purchasing Specialist”

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

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