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National

Median wages (2008) $23.42 hourly, $48,710 annual
Employment (2006) 157,000 employees
Projected growth (2006-2016) Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
Projected need (2006-2016) 35,000 additional employees
13-1022.00 - Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

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.

Sample of reported job titles: Buyer, Trader, Mechandiser, Procurement Specialist, Category Manager, Merchandise Manager, Product Manager, Purchasing Manager

Tasks

  • Use computers to organize and locate inventory, and operate spreadsheet and word processing software.
  • Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
  • Manage the department for which they buy.
  • Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences.
  • Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors.
  • Analyze and monitor sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
  • Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise.
  • Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
  • Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products.
  • Conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.

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Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Calculators or accessories — 10-key calculators
Desktop computers
Personal computers
Point of sale POS terminal — Point of sale POS systems

Technology used in this occupation:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Biztrak Business Solutions Biztrak; JDA Software Group Assortment Planning by Arthur; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne; Sage Accpac
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software — Infor Supply Chain Management; Kliger-Weiss Infosystems software; Material requirement planning MRP software; Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Supply Planning Multi-Site Material Planner
Point of sale POS software — Millennium Software Atrex; Plexis Software Plexis POS; Specialized Business Solutions Keystroke POS; Windward Software Windward System Five
Procurement software — Oracle Advanced Procurement; Sourcing Simulator *
Project management software — Microsoft Project
Word processing software — Microsoft Word

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.

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