buyer

The typical duties of a buyer include:

• sourcing suppliers: as a buyer, you are always looking for new suppliers. You vet potential suppliers and ensure that they meet standard requirements. During the vetting process, you compare suppliers and the quality of their goods. You also check for any additional services they may offer. For instance, what is their speed of delivery? Are their prices favourable?
• negotiating: as a buyer, you discuss purchase agreements with suppliers before obtaining services or products. Your job is to ensure the terms are favourable for your employer. For example, the level of quality should meet your employer's expectations. You also negotiate the best possible prices for the items.
• managing suppliers: as a buyer, you maintain relationships with suppliers. For instance, you manage a mutually beneficial supplier relationship to ensure the timely supply of products or services. You answer supplier questions and address any issues that arise during fulfillment.
• preparing purchase orders: as a buyer, you prepare the purchase orders to send to suppliers. You define the weight and quality of the products required and send the details to the supplier to ensure they get the orders right.
• analyzing market trends: as a buyer, you are expected to conduct market research to understand trends in the market. Researching helps you understand consumer purchasing trends and supplier price changes. Analyzing trends helps you make the right decisions.
• preparing reports and stock forecasting: as a buyer, you provide regular updates on supplier performance and cost savings. You also make reports on the supplier term amendments. Based on historical sales patterns, you also forecast the stock requirements.
• supplier inspections: as a buyer, you are expected to visit supplier premises to review the conditions and quality control measures. Your job is to ensure that suppliers always display high-quality products in supermarkets and retail stores.

Buyers work in retail or wholesale environments. Some buyers also work for manufacturers, finding raw materials for internal production operations. As a buyer, you work indoors, performing research and liaising with suppliers. You spend the day working in your office and sometimes visit retail floors to inspect the goods. You study market trends and review inventory reports to ensure you order all items on time. While you are based at the employer’s office, you also travel to meet suppliers or carry out factory inspections.

As a buyer, you work with various professionals in different industries to ensure items are delivered on time and that customers get their required products. To ensure the company has sufficient raw materials and equipment for production, you are likely to work with production supervisors, procurement officers and mechanical engineers in manufacturing industries. You also work with warehouse associates, accounting technicians and sales associates when organizing the delivery of items.

As a buyer, you are expected to commit 35 to 40 work hours per week. Buyers typically work Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. When you are required to source products urgently, you work evenings and weekends. You also attend trade shows and meet with suppliers at promotional events during the weekend.

Buyers have promising career opportunities with the potential of becoming procurement officers, purchase managers or supply chain managers. You can also specialize in sourcing items for a particular industry. For instance, a buyer can specialize in procuring items for the construction or manufacturing industry.

Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.

• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

As a buyer, you purchase goods for a company to use or for resale. You are responsible for sourcing raw materials, equipment and supplies that companies can sell in retail stores. Your job requires good relationships with suppliers and negotiation skills to ensure favourable purchase agreements. You also evaluate the quality of goods and services.

As a buyer, you require excellent communication and negotiation skills to negotiate purchase agreements on behalf of the company. Your communication skills help you engage with various members of the procurement team. As a buyer, you need an aptitude for numbers to manage the set budget.

As a buyer, you receive an average salary of $56,263 per year. The hourly rate is $28.85 per hour. Your income depends on your experience and the volume of goods you purchase. A buyer responsible for sourcing a high volume of goods will likely earn more due to the responsibilities involved.

As a buyer or purchasing agent, you have multiple opportunities for career growth. You can become an assistant purchasing manager before progressing to a purchasing manager role. Experienced buyers sometimes become supply chain managers or procurement officers. Other buyers become consultants in the purchase and supply industry.

With exceptional career prospects and promising earning potential, being a buyer is a good career choice. You receive a favourable salary as you improve your qualifications or experience. You also have exceptional opportunities for career growth, making the role of a buyer an exciting and rewarding career.

Finding a job near you as a buyer is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the 'Apply' button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume, and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.