13-1022.00 Bright Outlook

Wholesale & Retail Buyers

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. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Career Cluster:Supply Chain & Transportation
Job Family:Business and Financial Operations
Job Zone:Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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Technology Tools

Eclipse IDEFacebookIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsOracle PeopleSoftMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordSAP software

Key Tasks

  • Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
  • Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
  • Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
  • Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
  • Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
  • Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
  • Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
  • Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
  • Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
  • Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
  • Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
  • Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
  • Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
  • Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
  • Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
  • Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
  • Compare transportation options to determine the most energy-efficient options.
  • Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
  • Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.
  • Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.

Skills

Negotiation
75%
Speaking
69%
Persuasion
69%
Active Listening
69%
Critical Thinking
69%
Active Learning
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Management of Financial Resources
56%
Social Perceptiveness
56%
Reading Comprehension
56%
Complex Problem Solving
56%
Coordination
53%
Mathematics
53%
Service Orientation
53%
Monitoring
53%
Instructing
50%
Time Management
50%
Writing
50%
Systems Evaluation
50%
Management of Material Resources
47%
Learning Strategies
47%
Management of Personnel Resources
44%
Systems Analysis
41%
Quality Control Analysis
31%
Operations Analysis
28%
Programming
19%
Science
19%
Operations Monitoring
19%
Technology Design
16%
Operation and Control
10%
Repairing
0%
Troubleshooting
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Sales and Marketing
71%
Customer and Personal Service
68%
English Language
65%
Mathematics
64%
Administration and Management
60%
Computers and Electronics
60%
Economics and Accounting
55%
Communications and Media
43%
Administrative
41%
Production and Processing
37%
Mechanical
29%
Education and Training
27%
Law and Government
26%
Telecommunications
25%
Personnel and Human Resources
24%
Transportation
24%
Foreign Language
22%
Engineering and Technology
22%
Chemistry
18%
Physics
17%
Psychology
16%
Geography
16%
Building and Construction
16%
Public Safety and Security
15%
Design
14%
Philosophy and Theology
9%
Sociology and Anthropology
8%
Food Production
7%
History and Archeology
4%
Biology
3%
Therapy and Counseling
3%
Fine Arts
1%
Medicine and Dentistry
1%

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Abilities

Oral Expression
75%
Oral Comprehension
75%
Deductive Reasoning
69%
Written Comprehension
69%
Problem Sensitivity
66%
Speech Clarity
66%
Mathematical Reasoning
63%
Speech Recognition
63%
Inductive Reasoning
56%
Category Flexibility
56%
Number Facility
56%
Near Vision
53%
Information Ordering
53%
Fluency of Ideas
50%
Written Expression
50%
Selective Attention
50%
Originality
50%
Flexibility of Closure
47%
Far Vision
44%
Speed of Closure
44%
Perceptual Speed
41%
Visual Color Discrimination
41%
Visualization
38%
Trunk Strength
28%
Memorization
28%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
25%
Static Strength
25%
Finger Dexterity
25%
Time Sharing
25%
Manual Dexterity
25%
Multilimb Coordination
22%
Hearing Sensitivity
19%
Extent Flexibility
19%
Auditory Attention
19%
Dynamic Strength
19%
Depth Perception
16%
Stamina
13%
Wrist-Finger Speed
13%
Speed of Limb Movement
10%
Explosive Strength
6%
Gross Body Coordination
6%
Gross Body Equilibrium
3%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Reaction Time
0%
Night Vision
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Control Precision
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Response Orientation
0%

Work Activities

Getting Information
81%
Working with Computers
76%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
76%
Processing Information
73%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
70%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
69%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
69%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
67%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
66%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
66%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
65%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
64%
Analyzing Data or Information
62%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
61%
Thinking Creatively
58%
Performing Administrative Activities
57%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
57%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
55%
Documenting/Recording Information
55%
Selling or Influencing Others
50%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
50%
Scheduling Work and Activities
47%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
47%
Developing and Building Teams
45%
Coaching and Developing Others
43%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
42%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
42%
Handling and Moving Objects
39%
Assisting and Caring for Others
39%
Training and Teaching Others
39%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
37%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
37%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
36%
Performing General Physical Activities
35%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
34%
Controlling Machines and Processes
33%
Staffing Organizational Units
31%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
17%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
15%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
6%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
2%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

100%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

100%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

100%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

96%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

94%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

92%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

88%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

86%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

85%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

82%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

81%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

78%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

76%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

76%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

75%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

71%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

71%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

68%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

68%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

64%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

60%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

60%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

58%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

55%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

54%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

37%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

36%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

35%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

35%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

30%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

27%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

25%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

23%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

23%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

21%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

20%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

15%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

14%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

14%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

12%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

10%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

10%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

9%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

9%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

8%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

8%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

8%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

7%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

5%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

5%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

4%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

2%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

2%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

2%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

2%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

Education

Bachelor's degree

35%

High school diploma or equivalent

20%

Less than high school diploma

14%

Interests

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

70

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

69

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

40

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

24

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

15

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

10

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
76%
Dependability
71%
Self-Confidence
66%
Achievement Orientation
62%
Social Orientation
61%
Integrity
60%
Perseverance
59%
Adaptability
57%
Initiative
51%
Cautiousness
50%
Leadership Orientation
46%
Stress Tolerance
46%
Cooperation
44%
Self-Control
44%
Innovation
43%
Intellectual Curiosity
41%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
41%
Sincerity
29%
Optimism
25%
Empathy
21%

Work Values

Achievement
50%
Independence
50%
Relationships
50%
Support
50%
Recognition
45%
Working Conditions
42%

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