18 jobs found for Buyer

all about buyer jobs.

Do you have an eye for quality and a keen understanding of what products will serve a business well? If so, the role of a buyer could be the right career move for you. Buyers select items from suppliers either for resale or for use within a company. This role handles all purchasing activities within a business and makes decisions that help the business run more efficiently.

what do buyer jobs entail?

As a buyer, you are responsible for deciding what items to purchase for your company. This can include raw materials for production needs, office supplies, merchandise for resale, and so on. In all cases, you need to identify the products that will benefit your business the most and negotiate a competitive price within budget. This will require you to have an excellent understanding of the business and the market you are serving.

what is a typical work schedule for buyers

On a daily basis, you will be responsible for researching and identifying new market trends and items to purchase. While doing this, you will also assess the company's sales as well as its inventory. You will identify what products are serving the company well in order to make more informed purchasing decisions. This can mean analyzing the productivity in an office, how shoppers are responding to products, and so on. In all cases, your main role is to procure quality products that improve the company's bottom line without going over budget.

what are the pros of buyer jobs?

• Variety: Your role as a buyer can transfer between different industries, and your duties can vary each time. Perhaps you are required to purchase the right merchandise for a clothing and jewellery store. Or you might be required to purchase the best products for creating an efficient workplace. The variety and innovative nature of your work will ensure you never find the role of a buyer monotonous.
• Basic entry requirements: Many buyer positions will not require you to have formal qualifications. While some larger companies might ask for a marketing degree or equivalent, many will accept a high school education. Some companies will even offer on-the-job training to boost your skills.
• Travel potential: If you enjoy the idea of getting out of the office and seeing new places, then a buyer's position is the perfect opportunity. At a basic level, you will likely be expected to attend trade shows to research new products. This can mean trips to new locations, making this the perfect choice for those who like a variable environment.

what are the cons of buyer jobs?

• High pressure: As a buyer, you may find your job stressful, particularly if there are tight deadlines coming up. You will be under pressure to make the right purchases as well as to maintain supply chains and stay within budget. As such, you will need to have a keen eye for detail at all times, along with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Long hours: While most days you will be required to work normal nine-to-five hours, during certain periods you will find those hours extended. This can include sales periods such as those usually promoted around holiday seasons. These long hours can be very tiring, so you need to be dedicated and prepared to sacrifice a certain amount of your personal time.
• Pushback: Not every purchasing decision you make will be popular with your colleagues. You will need to make choices based on cost, efficiency, functionality and other relevant considerations. In such cases, you will need to be confident and able to effectively communicate why you made your decision.

what are common buyer interview questions?

Each business will have its own set of buyer interview questions. However, some common questions you might expect to be asked include:

• Why do you want to become a buyer? The interviewer wants to understand your motivations and to see if your goals align with that of the company. Make sure your answer touches on these goals and that you mention any relevant skills such as an eye for detail and creativity.
• Which is more important: the price or quality of a product? Your answer to this question will depend on the company and industry you are applying for. Make sure you are familiar with the company and what it produces first in order to give an informed answer.
• Can you tell us about a difficult negotiation you faced? The interviewer wants to understand your negotiation skills by way of a concrete example. In your answer, present how you were able to negotiate a deal that benefited both you and the vendor. Avoid any examples that make it look like you beat down a vendor or made a deal that was unethical or unfair.

buyer resume and cover letter requirements

Follow these guidelines while preparing your resume and cover letter for a buyer position:

• Take note of any industry-specific skills or qualifications required as well as any keywords utilized in the job description.
• Examine the business's website, social media accounts, and other internet resources. In your application, mention any goals that match the company's objectives.
• List your educational background, including where you attended school, what you studied, and any relevant qualifications you earned (e.g. marketing).
• Include any work experience you've had in the industry, such as in the marketing and financial sectors. Describe your accomplishments in these positions.
• Emphasize the abilities that will enable you to succeed in this role. Technical skills like mathematical abilities, as well as soft skills like communication, should be covered.
• Provide a professional summary at the top of your resume that clearly describes your skills, experience, and qualifications. Keep this one to three sentences long and utilize it to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the job.
• Include your contact information so the hiring manager can reach out to you to arrange a meeting. Your name, email address, and phone number should all be included.
• Ensure that your resume and cover letter are in an easy-to-read format so that the hiring manager can quickly access the information they require.

what is the job outlook for buyers?

As many companies require purchasing decisions for a variety of reasons, buyer jobs are likely to be in demand for the foreseeable future. However, the level of demand can vary between each industry and the purchasing requirements of each company. In addition, the health of the economy can also affect demand for buyer positions in the market. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the local economy and make your decision according to the market.

what are the different types of buyer jobs?

In general, there are 3 main tasks/roles for the buying lifecycle: an initiator (who suggests the idea for purchase), a decision-maker (who makes the ultimate decision about a purchase) and the buyer (who handles the administration of the actual purchase). These tasks are usually hierarchical but can also be individually assigned areas of responsibility. Generalized types of buyer include:

• Purchasing manager: This role oversees all purchasing processes and decisions within a company. Supervising buyers and purchasing officers, they create budgets, review purchases, choose suppliers to work with, and are the escalation point for non-board-level considerations.
• Purchasing officer: This specific type of buyer prepares purchase orders, monitors supply chains, and negotiates contracts with suppliers. They generally report to a senior buyer or manager who supervises the process.
• Purchasing assistant: Supporting the purchasing operations by carrying out product or materials orders, a purchasing assistant helps keep track of stock and inventory as well as maintaining logs of sales and arranging meetings with suppliers.

There are also associated roles available that can offer both advancement and a lateral move should you be looking for new challenges:

• Supply chain manager: This role ensures goods come and go according to schedule so as to avoid any supply issues. They manage the systems and distribution facilities used in supply operations and investigate ways to improve and streamline processes where possible.
• Logistics coordinator: Working in close proximity to both buyers and supply chain managers, a logistics coordination position is one of scheduling and organization in an administrative capacity.

Depending on the industry and company, you might also find the following types of more specialized buyer jobs available:

• Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) buyer: An MRO buyer is responsible for purchases focused on production functions. These may include but are not limited to maintenance repair items, machinery repair parts, the sourcing of parts and tools, as well as the negotiation of general support and repair contracts and agreements.
• Category manager: This type of buyer concentrates on a specific category of goods within a product range or end-user type. All buying decisions are made for the category as a whole rather than for individual items.
• Plant buyer: Tasked with organizing machinery and tool purchase or hire for factories and manufacturing sites, a plant buyer will have specialist knowledge of their specific field. This type of buyer can be found in a wide range of sectors, which also includes transport (most commonly railways) and goods production.

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what is the average salary for a buyer?

The average salary you can earn as a buyer in Canada is around $51,379 per year. For entry-level buyers, this can feature a starting rate of around $44,838 per year. More experienced buyers can earn up to $76,893 per year. These rates can depend on the industry you work for as well as the economy.

average buyer salaries in canada

• annual: $51,379
• monthly: $4,282
• weekly: $988
• hourly: $26.35

Top paying areas for buyers in Canada include: Alberta

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what are the duties and responsibilities of buyers?

• Identifies and organizes the purchasing needs of the company they work for.
• Researches, selects and purchases products and materials based on quality or price.
• Establishes and builds relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiates with suppliers in order to receive better prices, quantities, and faster deliveries.
• Processes requisitions and keeps management informed of the status of ongoing orders.
• Updates inventories and manages stock levels.
• Arranges for the transport of goods and tracks orders to ensure timely delivery.
• Has an understanding of the target market and analyses market and industry trends to make the most informed purchasing decisions.
• Coordinates supply chains with inventory teams, management and the stockroom.
• Monitors the quality of stock and brings any discrepancies to the attention of the suppliers and management.

where do buyers typically work?

Where you work as a buyer often depends on the industry you work for. You may be located in an office or commercial outlet, or you may be out in the field researching purchasing options. Your research will often be a combination of online work and in-person investigations. You may be required to travel to trade shows to investigate new products and initiate negotiations with suppliers. At times you may be required to work outside of normal work hours, in particular, if there is a deadline or a sale period.

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what skills and competencies do buyers need?

• Market and industry awareness
• Good communication skills, particularly interpersonal skills for negotiating.
• The ability to listen and remain calm and patient during negotiations and decision-making.
• Strong decision-making and leadership skills.
• Ability to cope under stress and adapt to rapidly changing situations.
• Time management skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Sound mathematical skills.
• Good knowledge of IT and software applications.
• Able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Good organizational skills.
• A creative mindset

what training and certifications do buyers need?

Few companies will require you to have any formal qualifications to become a buyer. However, some companies may request a degree in a field related to their industry. In addition, a bachelor's degree in a field such as marketing, finance, business or mathematics will help you stand out from other candidates. Some companies offer apprenticeships that can give you experience in the role. In addition, there are buyer certifications available that can also help you improve your skills and help build your portfolio. Examples include Certified International Procurement Professional (CIPP), Certified International Advanced Procurement Professional (CPSM) and Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS). Some certifications may be available to you through on-the-job training programs and can help improve your employability overall.

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