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

Tasks for “Buyer”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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