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Job description: Buyer
As a buyer, also known as a purchasing or procurement manager, your roles will be many and varied.
Typically, your duties will include selecting products, finding suppliers and negotiating prices, plus making sure goods arrive on time and suppliers are paid. However, you will also have the opportunity to present new ideas to senior management teams, write reports and help to interpret sales forecasts.
You will work alongside other departments in the organisation, and may have other responsibilities such as storage, stock control, budgeting and sales analysis. Some buyers specialise in particular areas. For example, in the retail industry they work closely with merchandisers to predict future trends, analyse consumer patterns of buying and control the flow of stock. Buyers responsible for quality control may work closely with technologists. Fashion buyers may work with design teams when new ranges are planned, helping them prepare and give presentations.
These days buyers use computers to record and analyse performance and monitor stock levels. They also spend time on the internet, in addition to reading catalogues and consulting trade directories.
Hours and Environment
Buyers work normal office hours, but may also have to work extra hours when necessary, including evenings and weekends. However, it may be possible to work flexible hours.
The work is office-based, but you will also visit suppliers, possibly abroad, so be prepared to spend short periods away from home.
In view of this, a driving licence would be an advantage.
Skills and Interests
To be a good buyer, you should:
- Be able to make decisions, meet targets and work under pressure.
- Have a business-like approach, and use tact and diplomacy when negotiating.
- Be able to absorb and assess information quickly.
- Have the numerical skills to interpret statistics and make commercial decisions.
- Be a good negotiator and enjoy dealing with people, whether by phone or in person.
- Have good creative ability and an eye for detail.
- Have excellent business, planning and organisational skills.
- Be an excellent communicator, with plenty of social confidence.
- Have high levels of stamina.
Entry
Entry qualifications in buying vary, depending on the employer. Normally you will need a degree, but a higher national diploma or equivalent is sometimes accepted. Some employers may ask for specific subjects, for example a technical subject for an engineering manufacturer or a degree in fashion design for fashion buying. Qualifications in business/management, economics or foreign languages may be particularly useful.
For a BTEC higher national course, you need five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) with one A level/Advanced Higher/two Higher grades, or a relevant BTEC national diploma, or appropriate SQA modules or equivalent. Courses for BTEC/SQA Higher National Certificate or Diploma in Business Studies, with purchasing options, are available at a number of colleges, either full- or part-time. They usually last two or three years.
Degree courses normally require five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) with two or three A levels/Advanced Highers/three or four Higher grades, or a relevant BTEC national diploma, or appropriate SQA modules or equivalent.
For details of qualification equivalents, see:
- Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Scottish Qualifications Authority
An Access to Higher Education course may also be acceptable as an entry requirement. If you have experience in a related field, you may be able to gain recognition of your skills through Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Please check with colleges or universities for their exact entry requirements.
An alternative route, mainly within fashion retailing, is to become a buyer's assistant and be trained on the job. However, you will usually need similar entry requirements to those for buyers.
If you are over 23, academic requirements for Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) qualifications will be waived, but you must be currently working in a commercial environment.
Training
Once you're in the job, the emphasis is on gaining professional CIPS qualifications, which are internationally recognised.
CIPS Certificates in Purchasing and Supply are for people with few or no qualifications employed in purchasing at a clerical level, or in stores and warehouses. On completion, you may move onto courses leading to CIPS professional stages. Certificates are available at many colleges running the CIPS Graduate Diploma, with most courses part-time and taking one year.
Many employers run their own training schemes. For example, some retail stores offer graduate management trainee schemes, with progression to a buying role. You may then be required to take CIPS professional qualifications, which are available in various modes such as full-time, part-time, modular, flexible and by distance learning. Contact CIPS for further information on all their courses.
NVQs/SVQs in Procurement are available at levels 2, 3 and 4. Completion of level 4 offers a route to CIPS Membership, providing applicants have the appropriate experience.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available if you're aged 16-24. For details see: MAPPs (England); Skillseekers MAPPs (Scotland); National Traineeships MAPPs (Wales); and MAPPs (Northern Ireland).
Opportunities
Purchasing or buying departments vary tremendously in size and scope, and there are opportunities throughout the UK. However, most retail head offices are in London or the South East, with some in the Midlands.
As well as retailing and wholesalers, opportunities exist in manufacturing, service industries, the civil service, local authorities, public service industries and the armed forces.
In larger organisations promotion prospects are good, although your progress will depend on your qualifications and abilities. Small firms have more limited prospects, so be ready to move employers to further your career.
It may be possible to work abroad.
Some buyers move into related areas of work such as computing, distribution, logistics, stores and materials control, marketing and sales.
Annual Income
These figures are for annual income and are intended as a guideline only. Buyers' salaries vary, depending on where they work.
New entrants may earn £12,500-£17,000, with buyers' assistants earning slightly less.
After three or four years' experience, your typical salary may range from £16,000 to £26,000.
It is possible to earn £50,000 or more.
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