Drive a hard bargain and become a business buyer – here’s how

CHRISTMAS is around the corner and the shopping frenzy is in full swing – but what if you could shop for a living?

Buyers are essential to almost every business, so if you’re a canny customer who knows how to drive a hard bargain, a buying career could be for you.

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Take a peek at what you’d be expected to do in these jobs below.

• Assistant Buyer/Buyer, BAE Systems, Kent
• Buyer, Mane Contract Services, Stevenage
• Buyer, Elevation Recruitment Group, South Yorkshire
• Buyer, Seven Search and Selection Ltd, Kent
• Buyer, Elevation Recruitment Group, Selby

No need to shop around for more information. We have all you need to know on becoming a buyer here at Sun Jobs.

What is a buying job?

If your firm uses goods, products or services bought from somewhere else, then it’s likely they have a buyer to get hold of them.

Also known as purchasing agents, buyers are responsible for all the main purchases that an organisation makes.

It can cover anything from stationery and paperclips to engine parts, according to which industry you’ll be working in.

What do buyers get paid?

The salary range is very big but if you make it to the top, so are the rewards.

Junior buyers’ starting salaries are around £18,000 to £25,000, a mid-level buying manager can expect to earn £45,000 to £70,000 while a senior buying director can enjoy a hefty salary of around £120,000.

What skills do I need to be a buyer?

The best buyers have a strong blend of both hard and soft skills.

You’ll need to be a whiz at data analysis and research to make sure you are buying the right items at the best possible price, but you’ll need exceptional human skills to negotiate well and close the deal.

Decision-making and working under pressure are also essential traits to make it in this job role.

What qualifications will I need to become a buyer?

There are a number of routes into the role.

You can take an apprenticeship or a degree in a relevant field such as business, economics or finance.

It’s also helpful to study with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply at https://www.cips.org/qualifications

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