The work

A buyer or purchasing officer is responsible for buying in the goods and services needed by an organisation, such as a hospital, a factory or a retail outlet. Purchases can include equipment such as office supplies, machinery components and raw materials for manufacturing, uniforms for the staff or services such as cleaning. In the case of the retail industry, they also procure the stock that goes on sale.

The job includes:

• deciding along with the management what needs to be bought and what the budget will be
• selecting the products, sometimes liaising with colleagues such as designers and merchandisers
• finding possible suppliers and getting quotes
• meeting and negotiating with suppliers
• agreeing the terms of the contract, including price and date of delivery
• monitoring progress with them once a contract is agreed
• making sure the right orders arrive on time and following up those which do not
• ensuring suppliers are paid
• keeping up to date with new developments via the internet, reading catalogues and attending trade fairs
• presenting new ideas to senior management teams
• writing reports and helping to analyse sales figures and forecast trends.

Sometimes buyers specialise - for example, in the retail industry they work closely with design teams when ranges are planned and with merchandisers to predict future trends.

Buyers use a computer a great deal to record and analyse performance, monitor stock levels and use the internet. They also spend time reading catalogues and consulting trade directories. They spend a lot of time on the telephone.

Buyers normally work office hours, with extra hours during evenings and weekends when necessary. Senior professionals tend to work longer. Flexible hours may be available.

Hours and Environment

Skills and Interests

A buyer needs to be:

• able to make speedy, firm decisions
• able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• tactful and assertive, with negotiating skills and sound judgement
• able to absorb and assess information quickly
• a good communicator, good at dealing with people
• creative, with an eye for detail
• a good organiser with planning skills and a driving licence
• physically fit with high levels of stamina
• financially aware and able to manage budgets
• numerate and able to interpret statistics.

Entry

There are no official upper age limits for entry to the buying profession. However, without relevant experience it may be more difficult to enter after the age of 40.

Training

Academic entry requirements for the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Graduate Diploma are waived for those over 21 who work in a commercial environment.

· Entry to a degree course is with five Olevels grades (A*-C/1-3) and two or three A levels grades or equivalent.
· Many employers run their own training schemes. For example, some retail stores offer graduate management trainee schemes, with progression to a buying role. Organisations in other sectors have graduate trainee schemes specifically for buyers. It is best to follow a course of study leading to the professional qualifications of the internationally recognised Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).

Opportunities

Employers include a wide range of public and private organisations: hospitals, local government, the Civil Service, public utilities (electricity, gas and water services), the armed services, manufacturing industry, banking and all forms of retail, including mail order, high-street shopping and e-commerce. Self-employment is not common.
Buyers tend to be based in head offices.

Annual Income

Further information

Skills for Logistics
http://www.skillsforlogistics.org
Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
http://www.cips.org