Buyer Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides exhaustive information on the buyer job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that commonly make up the work that they do.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may need to fulfill to be hired for the buyer role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Buyer Do?

A buyer is responsible for determining the price the product will retail at by ensuring that pricing is equitable, cost-effective, and profitable.

The buyer job description entails sourcing raw materials, components and finished products for use in manufacturing.

It also involves studying trends in consumer demand and looking for ways to ensure that their products are in demand by consumers.

The buyer determines “essential” production and purchase requirements from suppliers and monitors supplier performance based on delivery time and quality of product or service rendered.

It is also their duty to determine the products that are suitable for their organization.

They source product components, both raw and finished goods, from external suppliers according to the defined delivery schedule and quality standards as per the specifications laid down by the purchaser in terms of the contract.

In addition, the buyer submits orders to suppliers based upon requirements laid down by their customers according to production plans, deadlines, and cost budgets.

They ensure that their supplier’s delivery schedules are met on time and quality standards are maintained at all times.

Ensuring that the product specifications are strictly adhered to by their suppliers is one of the buyer’s duties.

The buyer ensures that all supplier information is kept up to date and accurate, and also ensures that all documentation needed by suppliers, such as invoices and purchase orders are up-to-date.

It is also part of their responsibility to ensure that the specifications of delivery mutually agreed upon with suppliers (i.e., production deadlines, quality standards, etc.) are adhered to at all times by all parties concerned.

They also ensure that the products are delivered on time and in accordance with agreed upon quality standards in terms of requirements laid down by the client.

The buyer work description also involves pre-contractual negotiations for new or additional contracts with their customer(s).

It also entails obtaining all relevant approvals granted by the client and other authorities prior to signing off any binding contract with suppliers.

The buyer is responsible for placing orders with their supplier(s) to ensure that the specified quantities of products are available for delivery in quantities, at the correct specifications, in time, and at prices agreed upon between them (the purchaser and their supplier).

They monitor the order cycle with suppliers and ensure that delivery is done in accordance with contract specifications.

Buyers manage the purchasing activities of the purchasing department through the supply chain.

They manage inventory levels according to available cash and future purchases, buying only the amount needed at a time, to ensure that customer orders are met on time, delivered within agreed upon cost specified by customer or supplier.

Buyers also ensure cost controls on allotted funds, evaluate alternatives for purchase and procurements, and negotiate vendor rates and terms on behalf of the company.

Buyer Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The buyer job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Source and purchase materials
• Prepare paperwork so supplies and parts can be shipped
• Verify barcodes and shipping information
• Arrange transportation and delivery
• Invoices and maintain shipping documents
• Carry out procedures involving quality control and assurance
• Perform on-site inspections
• Track and control inventory levels
• Oversee inventory records
• Establish vendor relationships
• Maintain vendor files
• Maintain purchasing and inventory records
• Review product specifications and requirements
• Provide purchasing assistance to management.

Buyer Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a buyer or are presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can craft a powerful Professional Experience section for your resume by applying the sample buyer job description provided above.

You can highlight the duties and responsibilities you have performed or are currently performing as a buyer in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones in the above buyer job description example.

This will show that you have been successful performing the buyer role, which can greatly enhance your chances of being hired, especially if the new job that you are seeking requires someone with some buyer work experience.

Buyer Job Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are important requirements that candidates for the buyer position may be asked to fulfill to be hired by most recruiters/employers:

• A college degree in business administration or supply chain management
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a buyer is essential. 3 years+ experience is preferred
• Must be able to travel
• Ability to work odd hours (late nights and weekends)
• Computer skills are necessary for reporting, invoicing, managing inventory, and analyzing data
• Must be able to perform work function effectively in a team environment
• Ability to be flexible in the business industry
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal and skills
• Ability to work independently and organize tasks and priorities
• Must have high level of math skills for inventory management, calculations and measurements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Good problem solving skills, detail-oriented, analytical skills and a desire to learn new techniques and industry trends
• Needs excellent organizational skills, being able to manage multiple projects at once while keeping an eye on details in all tasks.

Buyer Salary

The annual total pay for a buyer in the United States is $83,020, with an average salary of $58,223 per year according to Glassdoor.

Conclusion

This post is useful to individuals interested in the buyer career. They can learn all they need to know about the duties and responsibilities commonly performed by buyers.

It is also helpful to recruiters/employers in making a detailed job description for the buyer position in their companies, for use in hiring competent persons for the role.