Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
General Information
Description
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.
Business Breakdown
People in this career work in these sectors.
- Private, for profit89.20%
- Self-employed6.59%
- Private, not for profit2.68%
- State and local government0.65%
- Federal government0.44%
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Similar Careers
Salary
Education & Interests
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
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Bachelor's degree 34%
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High school 20%
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Less than high school 13%
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Associate's degree 11%
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Post-secondary certificate 10%
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Some college 8%
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Post-master's certificate 1%
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Master's degree 0%
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Doctoral degree 0%
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Post baccalaureate 0%
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Post-doctoral training 0%
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First professional degree 0%
Related College Majors
Select major to see colleges that offer it
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:
- Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.
- Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.
Skills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- English Language
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