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Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Business and Financial Operations (13-1022)
Bright Outlook

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.

At a Glance

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products. Top skills: Microsoft Windows, Eclipse IDE, Microsoft PowerPoint.

Median Annual Wage

Not available

Projected Growth (2024-34)

Not available

Annual Openings

N/A

Typical Education

Varies

Skills & Requirements

Skills (11)

Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

4.0
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.8
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.8
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.4
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.4
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.3
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.3
Management of Financial Resources

Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

3.3
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.3

Knowledge (6)

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

3.8
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.7
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.6
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.6
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

3.4
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.4

Abilities (11)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.8
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.6
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.6
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.5
Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

3.5
Number Facility

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

3.3
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.3

Technology (16)

Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Eclipse IDE

Category: Development environment software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Oracle PeopleSoft

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Oracle Database

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Intuit QuickBooks

Category: Accounting software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Purchasing software

Category: Procurement software | In Demand

4.0

Work Activities (17)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.2
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.0
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.9
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.8
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.8
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.6
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.6
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.6
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.5
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.4
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.3
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.3
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

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