Wholesale Buyer

Your Fit

Income

$58K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Wholesale Buyer?

A Wholesale Buyer is a professional responsible for purchasing products or commodities in large quantities from manufacturers or suppliers for resale to retailers or other businesses. They play a critical role in supply chain management and inventory control.

Sample job titles:

Buyer, Grocery Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Trader

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Wholesale Buyer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Wholesale Buyer earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Wholesale Buyer.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$36K per year	$45K per year	$58K per year	$75K per year	$91K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $6.76K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Wholesale Buyer do?

Work environment

Wholesale Buyers typically work in an office environment within retail, manufacturing, or wholesale trade industries. Their role often involves travel to meet suppliers, attend trade shows, or visit manufacturing sites.

Quick task list

Negotiates prices and contracts with suppliers.
Researches and identifies potential suppliers and products.
Analyzes market trends and consumer demands.
Manages inventory and ensures timely supply of products.
Evaluates the quality and performance of suppliers.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Apparel Buying: Specializing in purchasing clothing and fashion accessories for retail.
Electronics Buying: Focusing on consumer electronics and technology products.
Food and Beverage Buying: Concentrating on the procurement of food and drink products for retail or hospitality industries.

Description

Wholesale Buyers are pivotal in ensuring that the right products are available in the market at the right time. They must possess a keen understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and product quality to make informed purchasing decisions. This role requires them to stay abreast of industry changes, anticipate consumer needs, and adjust their buying strategies accordingly.

Negotiation is a significant part of a Wholesale Buyer's job, requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills to secure favorable terms. They must balance cost efficiency with quality, ensuring that the products they purchase meet certain standards and price points to satisfy both their clients and end consumers.

Wholesale Buyers also play a vital role in relationship management, both with suppliers and within their own organizations. They need to collaborate closely with various departments, including sales, marketing, and logistics, to ensure a smooth and efficient supply chain.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Playing a key role in driving business success through strategic purchasing.
The challenge and excitement of negotiating and securing deals.
Opportunities to travel and stay updated on industry trends.

You might make a good Wholesale Buyer if you are...

Adept at negotiating and have strong analytical skills.
Interested in market trends and consumer behavior.
Organized and detail-oriented, with good decision-making abilities.
Comfortable with numbers and have basic financial acumen.
Able to build and maintain professional relationships.

Pros:

Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Variety in daily tasks and potential for travel.
Significant impact on a company's profitability and efficiency.

Cons:

Can be high-pressure, especially when meeting sales targets or deadlines.
The need to constantly adapt to market changes and consumer demands.
Potential for extensive travel which might affect work-life balance.

How to become a Wholesale Buyer

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field is commonly required. Experience in retail or sales can be advantageous.

High school preparation

Courses:

Business studies and economics to understand market dynamics.
Mathematics for developing analytical skills.
Communication and interpersonal skills through English and public speaking classes.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining business clubs or groups.
Participating in debate teams to develop negotiation skills.
Volunteering in retail or business settings for practical experience.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or related fields.
Internships in purchasing, supply chain, or retail sectors.
Attending workshops or seminars related to purchasing and supply management.
Gaining certifications like Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM).

More resources

National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) - Offers resources and networking opportunities.
Institute for Supply Management (ISM) - Provides certification and educational resources for supply chain professionals.
The Purchasing & Supply Sourcing Guide - A resource for current industry news and trends.
American Purchasing Society - Offers courses and certifications for purchasing professionals.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.