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.

• Buyer
• Buyer, Assistant

• Analyze and monitor sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• Conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.
• Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences.
• Consult with store or merchandise managers about budget and goods to be purchased.
• Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, and when the ads should be run.
• Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors.
• Inspect merchandise or products to determine value or yield.
• Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products.
• Manage the department for which they buy.
• Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers and other media.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
• Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, and style number.
• Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise.
• Train and supervise sales and clerical staff.
• Use computers to organize and locate inventory, and operate spreadsheet and word processing software.

• analyze sales activities or trends
• communicate technical information
• compute financial data
• conduct or attend staff meetings
• conduct training for personnel
• confer with sales or purchasing personnel
• confer with vendors
• determine customer needs
• develop advertising strategy
• develop budgets
• develop pricing strategy
• develop purchasing policies or procedures
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• evaluate advertising promotions
• evaluate product quality for sales activities
• fill out purchase requisitions
• inspect merchandise to determine value
• locate sources of supply for purchasing
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make presentations
• manage inventories or supplies
• monitor consumer or marketing trends
• negotiate business contracts
• obtain information from individuals
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• process account invoices
• provide customer service
• use appraisal techniques in purchasing
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use inventory control procedures
• use knowledge of sales contracts
• use knowledge of written communication in sales work
• use product knowledge to market goods
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software