Friday, May 24, 2013

Purchaser/ Merchandiser/ Buyer


By: Micqueal Harris and Jacqueline Hamilton


The purpose of this position is to purchase finished goods, components, raw materials, and other items that may be used in a manufacturing or service setting.  While dependent upon a firm’s strategy, often the primary responsibility is to have the ability to obtain the highest quality goods at the lowest possible cost from the most reliable supplier.  As a buyer, before you decide which supplier to use, you might visit the perspective company to learn more about their product varieties and the services that they offer. You may expect to work an average workweek.  Forty-hours, Monday through Friday, overtime may be necessary to complete a project.

Purchasing agents make up the key component of the firm supply chain. To become a Purchasing Manager you will generally have to start out as a purchasing clerk, junior buyer, assistant buyers, etc. Some of their duties are to maintain records of products they purchase. Depending on the company, they will require at least a bachelor’s degree, with a preference for engineering and business majors. However, there are some successful people in this profession with high school being their highest level of education.

Entry positions typically last from 1 to 5 years. Seeing that you will generally start out in a training program. Which will eventually lead to one of the beginner positions within this profession. Forty-three percent of workers, with this title, work in wholesale trade and manufacturing industries. In this profession, the salary range is $54,150 to $94,970 a year. Positions in retail environments typically offer lower pay.

Purchasing agents may exert great influence over a firm’s supply chain. This position is essential to a firm because they source which products will be bought, so the firm can continue to supply their customers without disruption. Excellent customer service, negotiation skills, and the ability to develop and maintain long-term relationships are valuable traits in this position.

Additional information can be found at the following links:





http://www.ehow.com/facts_5184267_buyer-position-description.html

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