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.
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
SOC: 13-1022 O*NET: 13-1022.00
Median Salary
N/A
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
N/A
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products do?
How much can you earn?
Limited Data Available: Detailed wage distribution data is not currently available for this occupation.
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Negotiation
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Persuasion
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Management of Financial Resources
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Negotiation
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Persuasion
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Negotiation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Management of Financial Resources
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Sales Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators67%
5 shared skills
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products67%
5 shared skills
Fashion Designers67%
5 shared skills
Labor Relations Specialists67%
5 shared skills
Lawyers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Negotiation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
Learn on the Job:
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Negotiation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechEclipse IDE
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Eclipse IDE
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (2)
1
Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform86%
9
Compare transportation options to determine the most energy-efficient options.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products professionals typically have a ECR Holland code and highly value achievement
EEnterprising
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.47
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.37
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.35
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.17
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.17
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.09
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Persistence
3.9
Independence
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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