Buyer jobs can be found in the retail industry. This includes department stores, chain stores, and shops all over the US. They primarily purchase the items to be sold in their stores to the general public. In larger, more robust stores, many buyers are hired to do a specific job in purchasing including computers, furniture, fixtures, tools, etc. some chain store buyers often serve multiple store outlets. Assistant buyers follow up the purchases and receiving them.
A buyer must know how to choose appropriate items to sell, those that have better quality, the latest and practical items; all of it depends on the judgment of the buyer and the budget. For instance, the store he works for presents a challenge; a lower budget allocation for the purchases. While some cater to younger customers and had to buy expensive apparels some buy wines, fixtures and household appliances. The buyer had to buy items that are due for showcase in the next months to come after the other items are sold. The buyer needs the latest forecast in fashion, trends and spending attitudes of the customers and anticipating special occasions like Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Most of all, a buyer needs to find out what customers really need.
Buyer jobs in many department stores and chain stores are most in demand. They should have exceptional qualities as a buyer. A buyer should be well versed in all the incoming trends and browse various catalogs presented by manufacturers. They have the opportunity to travel and see what items they could find including fashion shows, and visiting trade fairs in many cities in search of interesting and useful items to buy. A buyer should generate reports and study spending habits of the customers, sometimes employing IT support or using software called business intelligence to make his job more accurate in forecasting.
Buyers must work closely with advertisers for promotion of the items. Buyers are duly rewarded for the sales increases in the department stores. Today, buyers make use of computers to speed up the ordering process. Buyer jobs include procurement clerks, inventory control clerks, and point of sales experts. Some department stores hire an IT manager who also works with the buyer to help generate reports and other sales and order related work. They now see the advantages of using software called enterprise resource planning which controls the whole business operations from sales, financial, HR, supply, POS and business intelligence.
Buyer jobs require a bachelor’s degree from a universities or college. Any previous training and knowledge about merchandising and retail business is a great advantage. Companies are on the lookout for creative, analytical thinkers, with good judgment who are willing to take challenges. There are career colleges that offer courses in retailing or buying. They are employed in manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, transportation, and many other industries.
Buyers work more than 40 hours per week, or longer in Christmas time and summer. Buyers are accompanied by an assistant buyer who is in training to travel to many cities and sometime in other continents. Buyer jobs are often demanding but the best part is you are not selling; you are buying so many marketing executives bid for your smiles and approval. This job is truly glamorous and chic.
Buyer jobs salary varies depending on the size of the organization you are employed. Also, experience and the type of items your client sells. According to the latest labor statistics, a buyer or procurement or a purchasing manager can earn an annual median income from $65,000 to $80,000 dollars.
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