Buyer
Buyers purchase goods to sell in warehouses, shops or department stores.
This profile is abridged from the CareersNZ website
Visit CareersNZ for the detailed profile
|
|
Pay per yearGraduate Senior |
Job opportunitiesAverage |
What you'll do
Buyers may do some or all of the following:
- Review stock levels and order products
- Learn about new products and consumer trends
- Talk with sales representatives and negotiate prices with suppliers
- Inspect, compare and select goods for sale
- Arrange for payment and delivery
- Decide how much to charge for goods
- Assist with product range and development
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to become a buyer, but employers usually prefer you to have retail experience, or tertiary qualifications in business, marketing, management or commerce.
For more information about your study options see: Areas of specialisation: Business
Personal requirements
Buyers need to be:
- Outgoing, confident and persuasive
- Able to make good judgements
- Good communicators
What are the chances of getting a job?
The retail sector has experienced steady growth in recent years, and because retail is a large industry there is a demand for buyers.
However, finding a job can be difficult due to high competition for roles. Employers often fill vacancies by promoting existing staff from positions such as sales assistant, shop manager or area manager
According to the Census, 1,458 buyers worked in New Zealand in 2020.
Most large retailers employ buyers. These include:
- Department stores
- Clothing stores
- Homeware and hardware chains
Student profiles
Check out some of our current students and recent graduates. They're doing great things.
This information is a guide only. Last updated 27 March 2024.