Job Search & Hiring
How To Become a Buyer
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | Jan 1, 2024
Are you thinking of becoming a Buyer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Buyer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Buyer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Buyer
A buyer procures products, including nondurable goods or farm products, along with relevant services an organization intends to either resell or use. While seeking for the best deal for an organization, buyers search for high-quality services and goods at the lowest cost possible. They also examine sales records, industry trends, and inventory levels by examining domestic and foreign suppliers while keeping up-to-date with possible changes that could affect the supply and demand chain for materials and products. Follow these five steps on how to become a buyer.
-
Earn your education.
The education requirements required to have a career as a buyer will be based on the position you seek and the specific industry. Most will require a bachelor's degree in a field such as finance, accounting, business, or supply management. Other buyer jobs will only require a high school diploma. Researching the position you would like to end up with will help you determine whether continuing your education or not is the best choice for your chosen path. -
Get an entry-level job.
Once you're done with or are in the midst of your educational program to become a buyer, you can take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities such as internships. Internships allow you to observe those who work in your field of interest in real life and see how they handle negotiation and business communication. This would also be an excellent time to apply for entry-level positions so you can advance your career to being a buyer. -
Get experience and on-the-job training.
- Negotiating. You'll often find yourself negotiating with the supplier, and being skilled in research strategy and persuasion will help you be successful.
- Math. You'll be required to use simple formulas and calculations to compare prices and ensure you're getting the best rate.
- Communication skills. It will be necessary to have effective conversations with suppliers and within your organization with personnel and management. Having empathy and patience are great skills to have as a buyer.
- Analytical skills. These will help you analyze products' quality, find competitive prices, and find options for prompt service and delivery.
- Decision-making skills. Timely and informed decision-making skills will help you when it's time to finalize your choices.
-
Earn relevant certifications.
- Certified Purchasing Professional.
- Certified Supply Chain Professional.
- Certified Professional Public Buyer.
- Certified Public Purchasing Officer.Each certification has different requirements regarding what education level and amount of experience are required and will have different training courses.
-
Apply for positions as a buyer.
- Retail.
- Manufacturing.
- Government.
- Wholesale trade.
- Agriculture.
Glassdoor Team
Our team of savvy experts are here to help you, whether you’re navigating your career or working to make your company culture shine. Glassdoor has the unique insights and guidance you need to experience your best worklife. Stick around to learn how to prepare for an interview, negotiate your salary, develop DEI programs, engage your employees, understand the state of the job market, and more. Check out our community to share and learn from professionals just like you too.