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.

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.

1. Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors.

2. Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.

3. 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.

4. Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products.

5. Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.

6. Inspect merchandise or products to determine value or yield.

7. Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise.

8. Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences.

9. Consult with store or merchandise managers about budget and goods to be purchased.

10. Conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.

11. Manage the department for which they buy.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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.

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.

Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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.

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.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education: 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.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$36,760 (per year) for entry level workers, and $78,890 (per year) for experienced workers.

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Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Least Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 8,990 Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 8,360  employed in NY. This represents a decrease of 0 job(s) each year, and a total of 200 job openings each year.

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Market Research Analysts - Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to determine potential sales of a product or service. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May use survey results to create a marketing campaign based on regional preferences and buying habits.

Public Relations Specialists - Engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. May prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities - Buy and sell securities in investment and trading firms and develop and implement financial plans for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products - Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of post-secondary education.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products - Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.