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Buyer

Kaihoko

Buyers purchase goods to sell in warehouses, shops or department stores.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a buyer. However, accounting, business studies and mathematics are useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate
  • Diploma
  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for buyers includes:

  • sales
  • storeperson work
  • customer services
  • importing and exporting.

What you will do

Buyers may do some or all of the following:

  • review stock levels and order products
  • review new products and consumer trends
  • talk with sales representatives and negotiate prices with suppliers
  • inspect, compare and select goods for sale
  • arrange payments and deliveries
  • decide how much to charge for goods
  • assist with product range and development.

Skills and knowledge

Buyers need to have knowledge of:

  • the market in which they intend to sell the goods
  • the products they are selling
  • competitors' prices, services and products
  • presentation and sales techniques
  • shopping and fashion trends
  • global product trends
  • budgeting, currency conversion and exchange rates.
Pay

New buyers usually earn

$49K-$60K

per year

Experienced buyers usually earn

$60K-140K

per year

Job opportunities
Average
Job opportunities for buyers are average due to high competition for positions.

Industry

Retail

Buyers purchase goods to sell in warehouses, shops or department stores.

Similar jobs in this industry

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.

Chances of getting a job

High competition for buyer jobs

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.

Types of employers varied

Most large retailers employ buyers. These include:

  • department stores
  • clothing stores
  • homeware and hardware chains.

Find out more about training

Retail NZ
0800 472 472 - info@retail.kiwi - www.retail.kiwi
ServiceIQ
0800 863 693 - info@serviceiq.org.nz - www.serviceiq.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Buyers may progress to set up their own retail business, or move into brand or merchandise manager roles.

Buyers usually specialise in certain products such as:

  • vehicles
  • clothing
  • food
  • electronics
  • raw materials.

They may also specialise in brand management or visual merchandising.

Working conditions

Buyers:

  • work regular business hours, but may work longer hours if travelling
  • usually work in offices, but also spend time in warehouses and shops
  • may travel to trade shows, seminars and expos.

Physical Requirements

Buyers need to be reasonably fit and healthy as they may need to lift heavy products such as wool bales.

Useful personal qualities

Buyers need to be:

  • outgoing, confident and persuasive
  • able to make good judgements
  • good communicators.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Retail

Buyers purchase goods to sell in warehouses, shops or department stores.

Similar jobs in this industry

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