Career overview
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
O*NET-SOC 13-1022.00
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.
What it takes
The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products.
Skills employers look for
- NegotiationBringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Active ListeningGiving 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.
- Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- PersuasionPersuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge areas
- Sales and MarketingKnowledge 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 ServiceKnowledge 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.
- English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
- MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Certifications that help you get hired
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