Buyers & Purchasing Agents
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing AgentsCreated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this site provides important information regarding wholesale trade and manufacturing establishments and employment within them. Find out about competition in the industry, the nature of the work, the projected employment in the U.S, and potential earnings. For the latest wage information, access the Occupational Employment Statistic link for National, State, and local information. Related occupational profiles and sources of additional information can be accessed from the links at this page.
Princeton Review: BuyerLearn about a day in the life of a buyer, including working within reasonable budgets, negotiations, and understanding your profit. Click on the links at the left to learn about the difference between entry-level and advanced career earnings, or find out about college majors that will help you get into this field, programs, internships, and facts and figures about the advertising industry.
Occupational Titles
Assistant Merchandise Buyer
Assistant, Buyer
Associate Merchandise Buyer
Buyer
Buyer, Assistant
Buying Agent
Commodity Manager
Contract Agent
Contract Analyst, Exc. Labor
Contract Specialist
Contractor Buyer, Exc. Farm
Contractor Buyer, Farm
Contracts Administrator
Contracts Specialist
Contracts Specialist
Dealer
Farm Products Shipper
Fashion Buyer
Fashion Merchandiser
Field Contact Person
Field Contractor
Field-Contact Technician
Food Broker
Food Broker
Fruit Buyer
Fruit Shipper
Fuel Agent
General Purchasing Agent
Gold Buyer
Grain Broker
Grain Buyer
Head Of Merchandise Buying
Hide Buyer
Importer
Importer Exporter
Jobber
Journeyman
Leaser
Lumber Buyer
Manager, Contracts
Media Buyer
Merchandise Buyer
Merchandise Planner
Merchandise Worker
Merchandiser
Merchant
Outside Property Agent
Price Analyst
Print Buyer
Print Buyer
Procurement Agent
Procurement Engineer
Procurement Specialist
Produce Buyer
Produce Shipper
Product Manager
Purchaser
Purchasing Agent
Purchasing Agent, Cotton, Grain, Livestock, Other Farm Products
Purchasing Agent, Equipment, Supplies, Tools, Etc.
Purchasing Agent, Merchandise For Resale
Purchasing Assistant
Purchasing Coordinator
Purchasing Manager
Purchasing Specialist
Purveyor
Radio Time Buyer
Railroad Purchasing Agent
Retail Buyer
Sales, Buyer, Any Commodity
Seed Buyer
Senior Buyer
Senior Merchandise Buyer
Shipper
Stock Buyer
Stock Dealer
Stock Shipper
Stock Trader
Supervisor, Crop
Trader
Tradesman
Traveling Buyer
Visual Merchandising
Wholesale Buyer
Wholesale And Retail Merchant
Accredited Academic Programs
Princeton Review: Buyer, College MajorsSeveral college majors are appropriate choices in the pursuit of a career as a professional buyer. Sign in to the site, and take a look at them at this list. Click on what interests you, and locate online academic pages of your selections.
Salary Levels
PayScale: BuyerTake a look at median salary by years of experience in the workforce, or scroll further down the page to learn about employer type or the median salary by city for a buyer.
Professional Organizations
American Purchasing SocietyThis organization was the first to establish certification credentials. You will find details on courses, workshops, degree programs, and other educational information at this site. Click on the certification link to learn about its benefits, or access the organization’s career center.
Association for Operations ManagementThis leader in global operations management includes members specializing in production, inventory, supply chain, purchasing, and logistics. Learn about various certifications and education offered by the organization from the links at the top of the page. You will also find webinars, e-news, and career development tools.
Institute for Supply ManagementThis is a non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting opportunities and advancement of the profession and extension of the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Find out about educational seminars, publications, and the professional certifications you can earn in this field. Access the site’s career center, or find research tools, and a discussion forum.
National Association of Educational ProcurementIf you want to find networking information, publications, and sites for sustainability in the environment, and certification, check out the organization. Find out about all the great benefits that members are entitled to, and access the association’s educational online journal.
Job Opportunity Sources
American Purchasing Society: Career CenterIntended to help prospective employees connect with employers, this site lets you easily send your resume to employer postings with a click of the mouse. You can view job listings, post your resume, and begin planning your career here.
Institute for Supply ManagementPlenty of career resources are available at this site, with opportunities from around the country, searchable by job title, salary, location, and industry. Find a wealth of additional tools, including other job hunting sites, resources for relocation, and scholarships.
National Association of Educational Procurement: CareerThis complete job posting service is available to members. However, the job descriptions, qualifications, salary, and all applications procedures are detailed.
Licensing & Certification
American Purchasing Society: CertificationAt this menu, you will find links to certification benefits, programs, and the application process. Details on the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) and the Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM) are included.
Publications
Electronics Supply & ManufacturingThis industry source for procurement management includes top stories, the latest news, and sections addressing supply chain logistics, distribution, manufacturing, and other departments of special importance to buyers and purchasing agents. Links to related web sites are found, as well as electronic group sites.
Institute for Supply Management: PublicationsLook at this collection of publications, including thought-provoking discussion on strategic supply management. A quarterly journal in this field is accessible, as well as international conference proceedings, and insider supplements designed to give members more information on suppliers.
Online Forums & Blogs
National Association of Educational Procurement: ListervsSend messages to your selection of national lists at this collection of open discussions. You can post messages, and communicate with others interested in the procurement industry. All you need to do is subscribe to the list, and you are ready to post!
Procurement BlogFind success factors for professional purchasing at this online discussion. Have your say, become an author, and learn about the writers here and their real experiences. You can access recent posts, links to archives, and blog discussions across several categories, including supply chain management, global sourcing, procurement technology, and several more.
Career Videos
ISeek: Buyers and Purchasing AgentsTake a look at how buyers and purchasing agents find things at the best prices for their industry. You’ll hear about how these professionals research supplies and review prices and quality. Listen to additional skills that you need in this career, including negotiation and specialization in particular industries. If you want further information on this career, you can also find links to work activities, needed skills, wages, and jobs.
YouTube: Purchasing ManagersFind out how purchasing managers plan purchasing activities and keep the production lines flowing smoothly. Educational requirements, experience, professional certification, computer literacy, travel, and other parts of this career are introduced.
