National
| Median wages (2008) |
$23.88 hourly, $49,670 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
16,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
2,000 additional employees |
13-1021.00 - Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products
Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale.
Sample of reported job titles:
Grain Merchandiser, Grain Buyer, Farm Marketer, Grain Division Manager, Grain Origination Specialist, Tobacco Buyer, Almonds Grower Representative, Buyer, Procurement Manager, Purchasing Agent
Tasks
- Purchase for further processing or for resale farm products such as milk, grains, and Christmas trees.
- Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
- Arrange for processing and/or resale of purchased products.
- Arrange for transportation and/or storage of purchased products.
- Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand.
- Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
- Examine and test crops and products to estimate their value, determine their grade, and locate any evidence of disease or insect damage.
- Coordinate and direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and in maintaining records.
- Calculate applicable government grain quotas.
- Sell supplies such as seed, feed, fertilizers, and insecticides, arranging for loans or financing as necessary.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Animal weighing scales — Livestock scales |
| Floor or platform scales — Bulk weighing systems |
| Grain analyzers — Grain testers |
| Micrometers — Digital micrometers |
| Rulers — Precision rulers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access; Product producer databases |
| Electronic mail software — IBM Lotus Notes; Microsoft Outlook |
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Enterprise resource planning ERP system software; Microsoft Great Plains software; SAP software |
| Inventory management software — Inventory management system software |
| Project management software — Microsoft Project |
