Skip to the main content
Go to the search page
Buyers and procurement officers organise and undertake the buying of raw materials, equipment and merchandise from manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and other sources for distribution, resale or for own internal use.

Main tasks

  • Maintains records and prepares reports as necessary.
  • Works closely with merchandisers who allocate stock and develop sales forecasts.
  • Supervises clerical, administrative and warehouse distribution staff, deals with recruitment and training.
  • Ensures that delivered items comply with order, monitors quality of incoming goods and returns unsatisfactory or faulty items, monitors performance and makes sure targets are met.
  • Looks at ways to improve supply networks, presents new ideas to senior management team.
  • Helps negotiate contract with supplier and specifies details of goods or services required.
  • Assesses bids from suppliers, finds suppliers and negotiates prices.
  • Assesses budgetary limitations and customer requirements and decides on quantity, type, range and quality of goods or services to be bought.
  • Keeps up with market trends and chooses products/services.
  • Attends trade fairs, shows and demonstrations to research new product lines and suppliers, checks catalogues.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£70,820.11

Average earnings

£34,383.28

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 2%
Level 1 3%
Level 2 20%
Level 3 28%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 9%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 33%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 5%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.