How to become a Buyer (2024)

FAQs

How do I get started as a buyer? ›

Typically, you need a bachelor's degree to become a buyer. A major in business may be applicable, but bachelor's degree programs in retail merchandising and management are also an option for aspiring buyers.

What is a Buyer? Buyers are responsible for purchasing goods for a company to use or sell in their own business. This position requires extensive research and the ability to negotiate contracts with suppliers, manage an inventory, evaluate quality goods, and stick within a budget.

Being a professional buyer is a glamorous, powerful job in many respects. But the glitter and glitz cloud the hard work and keen intellect required to make it in this competitive field. Professional buyers examine goods and work within reasonable budgets to make competitive bids for products to resell.

The insurance comparison site also revealed that the average age for all mortgage borrowers is 36, which has increased by two years since 1990. The proportion of first-time buyers under the age of 25 has also decreased by 18.1% and increased by 9.5% in 35 to 44-year-olds.

An excellent buyer builds quality relationships and leverages those skills for negotiations with vendors (to get the best products, prices and terms). They also build quality relationships in order to deal with the sales and marketing people (to acquire the sales support materials needed to market their lines).

While some companies prefer a bachelor's degree in a field related to retail buying, most require a minimum of a high school diploma. Some high schools offer courses in merchandising, marketing, advertising and business, which can help students prepare for their future career.

The skills needed will differ depending on the industry, but as a general rule a Procurement Buyer / Purchaser should have the following skills: Strong negotiation skills. Excellent communication skills. Relationship building and management skills.

Researches, secures, compares, and evaluates information regarding source of supply, price, quality, availability, terms and conditions, and related information for varied materials, supplies, services, and equipment.

In this article, we will explore the five major consumer buying roles: the Initiator, Influencer, Decider, Buyer, and User, and how they advise your marketing strategy. The Initiator is the individual who first suggests the idea of making a purchase.

Who is the boss of a buyer? ›

Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents and typically handle more complex procurement tasks.

On top of perks such as early responsibility, trend setting, retail discounts and opportunities to travel, job satisfaction is a huge draw. As a fashion buyer or merchandiser you will see people buying and walking down the street in products that you have helped bring to market.

Apply to senior buyer positions

These positions may involve supervising other buyers within your organisation and making final buying decisions. These increased responsibilities may allow you to negotiate for a higher salary than other buyer positions. The national average salary of a senior buyer is $4,737 per month.

There are no usual career paths to Production Buyer, often they will have worked as an Art Department Trainee, Trainee Buyer or Assistant Buyer. Film or Fine Art Studies could be beneficial but experience as a trainee is essential.

How to Become a Freelance Media Buyer. The primary qualifications for becoming a freelance media buyer are reliable access to the internet and several years of experience with media buying. A degree in a relevant field can help you reach this point, but it is not always necessary for getting experience.