Business & Finance
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Also called: Bakery Buyer, Buyer, Deli Buyer, Frozen Food Buyer
US median pay
—
not published
Job growth 2025–35
—
Openings a year (US)
—
Typical entry education
—
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
What they do day to day
- Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
- Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
- Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
- 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.
- Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
- Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
- Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
- Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
- Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Negotiation4.0/5
- Persuasion3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Management of Financial Resources3.0/5
Knowledge
- Administration and Management4.2/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Production and Processing3.7/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Administrative3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.