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Wholesale & Retail Buyer

Also called: Bakery Buyer, Buyer, Frozen Food Buyer, Grocery Buyer

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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Business & office
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Median pay
$77,710/yr
Typical range
$48,380 – $128,870
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Wholesale & Retail Buyer do?

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.

  • 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.

How to become a Wholesale & Retail Buyer

Training: Bachelor's degree or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problemListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsBringing people together to solve differencesTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviorNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self-Confidence
  • Achievement Orientation
  • Social Orientation

Tools and technology

Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneSAP softwareMicrosoft PowerPointPlexis Software Plexis POSWindward Software Windward System Five

Questions people ask

How much does a Wholesale & Retail Buyer make?

About $77,710 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $48,380 and $128,870. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Wholesale & Retail Buyer?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Wholesale & Retail Buyer?

No four-year degree is needed. Bachelor's degree or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Wholesale & Retail Buyer a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

Administrative Assistant$44,080 a yearBookkeeper$47,440 a yearCargo & Freight Agent$52,260 a yearFarm Labor Contractor$58,460 a yearFreight Forwarder$52,260 a yearMedical Secretary & Administrative Assistant$45,930 a year

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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