CareerZone Pennsylvania

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

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.

Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree - Degree completed after 4 or 5 years of full-time schooling beyond high school.

Interests

Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Knowledge

Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Economics and Accounting	Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Sales and Marketing	Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Skills

Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Equipment Selection	Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Management of Personnel Resources	Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Negotiation	Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Operations Analysis	Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Tasks

• Manage the department for which they buy.
• Use computers to organize and locate inventory, and operate spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Train and supervise sales and clerical staff.
• Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, and style number.
• Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, and when the ads should be run.
• Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers and other media.
• Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
• Analyze and monitor sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products.
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• Inspect merchandise or products to determine value or yield.
• Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise.
• Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences.
• Consult with store or merchandise managers about budget and goods to be purchased.

Wages

In 2006, the Pennsylvania average annual wage was $49,160.00. The entry-level wage was $28,660.00 while an experienced worker made $59,410.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 6,760 people employed in this field in Pennsylvania. It is projected that there will be 7,020 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about 26 openings due to growth and about 177 replacement openings for approximately 203 total annual openings. This occupation experienced moderate growth.

Colleges and Training

Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.

• Merchandising and Buying OperationsA program that prepares individuals to function as professional buyers of resale products and product lines for stores, chains, and other retail enterprises. Includes instruction in product evaluation, merchandising, applicable aspects of brand and consumer research, principles of purchasing, and negotiation skills.
• Fashion MerchandisingA program that prepares individuals to promote product lines/brands, and organize promotional campaigns, at the wholesale level to attract retailer interest, wholesale purchasing, and supply contracts. Includes instruction in wholesaling, wholesale advertising, selling, and customer relations.

For additional college information and related training about this career path, please visit:

AES EducationPlanner, PA Dept of Labor, PA Career Link, college.gov, and College Navigator

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