Buyer Careers

• examining sales figures and predicting upcoming sales
• responsible for writing reports
• recording and supervising the levels of stocks
• researching new products and dealers for instance by examining catalogues or remaining present trade fairs

In some industries you will make use of professional skills, for instance, in retail you will work together with merchandisers to formulate analysis of customer buying pattern. As a fashion buyer, you will give recommendation to the design teams about fashion when new ranges are considered.

QUALIFICATION, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:-

Retail buyer will have advantage with the BTEC HNC/HND or degree in logistics, supply chain management or business studies, though you don't constantly require a degree or HND if you have appropriate experience in retail, commodities or trade.

For some jobs, the employer will give preference if you have professional qualifications and technological knowledge in your meticulous industry, for instance:

• An engineering degree for an engineering company
• A fashion buying degree or design for fashion buying job

Many employers will anticipate that you have or you work towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). If you are not having the CIPS degree in chain management, you will study for CIPS trained qualification at the same time as working in a buying section.

You can join the larger companies as an apprentice buyer through a management training scheme. You will basically require a degree in any subject to enter into the training scheme, though some employers will hire inhabitants with level A or same qualifications.

It is also feasible to begin as a purchasing assistant or administrator in a buying section of the company. You can work as a junior or assistant buyer and afar as you achieve experience and CIPS qualification.

For approved degrees and post graduates courses, you can see the website of CIPS.

TRAINING DETAILS:-

Wholesale buyer will be given training on the job, probably all through a company structured graduate training scheme. You will study from Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply for the specialized qualifications.

You will work towards National Vocational Qualification (Level 2, 3, 4 and 5) in Supply Chain Management or you can study CIPS qualification which includes:

• Diploma in Purchasing and Supply (Level 4)
• Certificate in Purchasing and Supply (Level 3)
• Graduate Diploma (Level 6) a degree level qualification
• Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply (Level 5)

The level 3 and 4 qualifications are proper for purchasing administrator and citizens new to the industry. Many buyers aspire to obtain Graduate Diploma, Level 6.

You can study for CIPS qualification part-time at local colleges and private training providers, or by distance learning. See the website of CIPS for further information about the entry requirements.

SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE:-

• good written and oral communication skills
• excellent mathematics skills, for handling the budgets
• ability to scrutinize and review the details
• good quality organizational skills
• correctness and concentration towards details
• discussing and arrangement skills
• excellent business sense
• ability to work as a team member
• ability to meet the deadlines even when under pressure

SALARY AND OTHER BENEFITS:-

• Assistant buyers or buying administrative assistants may make anywhere between $ 12,000 and $ 22,000 every year.
• If experienced buyers, you can normally make between $ 23,000 and $ 40,000 yearly.
• Senior buyers and purchasing managers can be paid $ 50,000 p.a. or more.

WORKING CONDITIONS:-

You will be working in standard office hours, from Monday to Friday, with some overtime for meeting up with the deadlines when needed. Recreational work can be accessible.

You will basically be based in the office, but you will have to tour extensively to meet up the suppliers and be present at trade fairs.

DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES:-

In the retail industry, there are many chances in the manufacturing and services industries.

Jobs may be promoted in the national and local press, trade magazines for a specific industry, and specialist recruitment agencies.

Large companies might have good promotion forecast. If experienced, you can get into related areas like sales, merchandising, marketing and management.