Career Map: Buyer

Position Title	Buyer
Alternate Title(s)	Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Specialist, Commodity Manager, Purchasing Manager
Education & Training Level	Mid-level, Bachelor’s degree preferred
Education & Training Level Description	Although educational requirements for buyers may vary by the size of the organization and the type of product, all need extensive on-the-job training. They need a bachelor's degree, extensive work experience as a buyer, with specific licensing preferred.
Brief job description	Buyers purchase raw materials and parts for manufacturing wind turbine components, towers and balance of plant construction materials. They evaluate suppliers, competitively bid and negotiate contracts, and review supplier quality management systems. Purchasing managers oversee buyers and purchasing agents.
Preferred Level of Education	Bachelor’s degree
Preferred Level of Experience	See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information.
Estimated/Expected Salary	See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information.
Job Profile	Buyers purchase raw materials and parts for manufacturing wind turbine components, towers and balance of plan t construction materials. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review product quality. Buyers typically do the following: Evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, and lead time Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices Attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences to learn about new industry trends and make contacts with suppliers Competitively bid and analyze cost proposals, financial reports, and other information to determine reasonable prices Negotiate contracts on behalf of their organization Work out terms and conditions with suppliers, such as when products will be delivered, payment terms, point of delivery, etc Participate in material review board (MRB) meetings to help disposition on-conforming materials and determine corrective actions Evaluate and monitor contracts to be sure that vendors and suppliers comply with the terms and conditions of the contract to improve supplier value Maintain and review records of items bought, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories. Buyers purchase products, goods, and services for their organization. They try to get the best deal for their organization—the highest quality goods and services at the lowest cost. They do this by studying purchasing records and inventory levels of current stock, identifying foreign and domestic suppliers, and keeping up to date with changes affecting both the supply of, and demand for, products and materials. Evaluating suppliers is one of the most critical functions of a buyer. Any delays in the supply chain can delay production and potentially cause the organization to miss delivery commitments. Buyers use many resources to find out all they can about potential suppliers. They attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences to learn about new industry trends and make contacts with suppliers. They interview prospective suppliers and visit their plants and distribution centers to assess their capabilities. For example, they may clarify the purchasing documentation details, vendor inspection and packaging requirements of products with design and manufacturing engineers and quality concerns with receiving inspection and MRB team members. Buyers will also address shipping and delivery issues with the receiving and inventory control functions. Buyers must make certain that the supplier can deliver the desired goods or services on time, in the correct quantities, and without sacrificing quality. Once they have qualified suppliers, they develop supplier agreements with suppliers who meet the organization's needs, and manage purchase orders. Purchasing managers plan and coordinate the work of buyers and material expediters they usually handle strategic vendor relationship of higher value. Those employed by government agencies or manufacturing firms usually are called purchasing directors, managers, or agents; sometimes they are known as contract specialists. Some purchasing managers, called contract, sourcing, or supply managers, specialize in negotiating and supervising supply chain contracts.
Job Skills	Analytical skills. When evaluating suppliers, buyers must analyze their options and choose qualified suppliers with the best combination of price and quality. Decision-making skills. Buyers must have the ability to make informed and timely decisions in choosing supply chain partners. Math skills. Buyers must possess basic math skills. They must be able to compare prices from different suppliers to ensure that their organization is getting the best deal. Negotiating skills. Buyers often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier. Interpersonal skills and self-confidence, in addition to knowledge of the product, can help lead to successful negotiation.
Resources	Bureau of Labor Statistics: Buyer

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