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. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Interests
- Enterprising
- Conventional
- Realistic
Work Values
- Independence
- Achievement
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Cooperation
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
Tasks
- Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
- 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.
- 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.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Technology Skills
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Presentation software
- Point of sale POS software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Negotiation
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Oracle Retail Demand Forecasting 13.3 Functional Implementer Certified Implementation SpecialistCertifying Organization
Oracle Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Certified ITAR ProfessionalCertifying Organization
International Trade Certification
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Retail Industry FundamentalsCertifying Organization
National Retail Federation Foundation
Type
Core
Certifying Organization
Oracle Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
National Professional Certification in Retail ManagementCertifying Organization
National Retail Federation Foundation
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | N/A |
| Median (50%) | N/A |
| High (90%) | N/A |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | N/A |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 524,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 561,400 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 7%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 7%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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