Product Buyer: Job Description, Salary, Duties & More (2024)

Learn how to become a product buyer and excel at it.

Are you ready to become a product buyer?

Are you looking into options that interest you, and this happened to be one of them?

In this article, you are about to go on a journey and learn what a product buyer is, what they do, what it takes to become one, and what you could earn.

You will also learn valuable information on what to expect during an interview to prepare you to face anything.

So, let’s get started.

Product Buyer Job Information

Official Job Title	Product Buyer
Average Salary	$87,264
Stress Level	Average- High
Work/ Life	Average
Job Satisfaction	High
Career Advancement	Average

*Source: Salary: Product Buyer | Glassdoor

Job Description for a Product Buyer

What is a Product Buyer?

A product buyer is exactly what it sounds like in a way. If you are a product buyer, you would get with a business and find out what they need.

Then you would buy what they would need.

Essentially you would be a supplier of goods, equipment, and anything they would need you to get for them.

Most businesses are too busy or don’t know how to negotiate prices like product buyers.

What Does a Product Buyer Do on a Daily Basis?

The product buyer would get with the business’s budget and works with that to negotiate the prices from the suppliers.

They can check the inventory and add things to it as the orders they have done come in.

They make sure everything is running smoothly in their workplace, whether in a business, office, or retail store.

So be sure you are up for all this when entering this job.

As a product buyer, you have a responsibility to ensure these places have what they need to sell to their customers.

Responsibilities, Duties, and Roles of a Product Buyer

Like with any job, this role comes with responsibilities and duties.

Being a product buyer may seem easy when you know what it is, but it isn’t when you are on the threshold and doing your work.

It can get stressful if you have a lot of orders to make and get them to the place in the time they need them.

You need to have good negotiating skills.

Because, as stated above, you’ll have to buy the things for the business or where you are employed.

So you would need to get a reasonable price for an excellent product for the business.

You are responsible for creating an invoice for the products you order and reporting them to the supervisor.

You need to ensure the orders are correct and maintain the inventory of the supplies.

Salary of a Product Buyer

The salary of a product buyer can vary from place to place, but glassdoor.com does have a scale of the pay from the low to the high.

The Average Salary is around $87,264
The Starting Salary is around $52,836
The Senior Salary is around $95,500

The Salary is not set in stone as it could depend on the place, as stated above.

Remember always to research the place you are looking into applying to be a product buyer.

Make sure they would be a good fit for you and for it to sustain you and your family if you have one.

How to Become a Product Buyer

The Entry Level: Certification, Training, & Degree

Depending on the establishment, it will depend on whether you need a bachelor’s degree.

A high school degree plus some form of related experience may suffice.

As with most jobs, you have training when you start at the job until they deem it done.

That could take a few months.

The same goes for the certifications; it depends on the establishment.

Other Skill Sets, Requirements, & Qualifications

As stated before, you need to have negotiating skills for this job.

Other skills are important to do this job to the best of your ability.

These skills are analytical, decision-making, communication, and math skills.

These will play a big part in your success as a product buyer.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Product Buyer?

This depends on whether you get your bachelor’s degree, but this could take two to five years.

Is It Hard to Become a Product Buyer?

It is not hard to become a product buyer when the lowest entry is having a high school diploma and some experience.

Career Paths of a Product Buyer

The Roadmap to Being a Product Buyer

The road to becoming a product buyer is straightforward.

You need to have a high school degree and experience in buying products for businesses and go to college to get a degree in an area dealing with retail, management, or technology.

Also, consider certifications related to product buying.

Some certifications include the following:

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP)
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)

Projections of Growth in Product Buyer Jobs

The growth for product buyers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is -6% through 2031, meaning the role will decline.

In Summary, is Being a Product Buyer a Good Career?

If you enjoy doing this job, it may be a promising career.

However, it’s wise to consider this field’s downward trajectory before committing to it.

All in all, it is dependent on you if it would be a fulfilling career or not.

Product Buyer Working Conditions

Can a Product Buyer Work Remotely from Home?

Yes, many product buyers could do their job remotely.

How Many Hours Does a Product Buyer Work?

You could potentially work for forty hours and sometimes more than that, depending on your workplace.

Can A Product Buyer Work Part-time?

Usually, product buyers work full-time and over.

There is a possibility that you could work part-time, but that will probably be only when you start the job.

What Are the Average Vacation Days of a Product Buyer?

The number of vacation days depends on the employer and how long you’ve worked.

Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Product Buyer

Resume Tips for a Product Buyer

Resumes are one of the factors that can determine if you are suitable for the job.

Therefore, you need to craft the best resume to increase your chances of getting hired.

The tips are that you list all of your skills pertaining to the job, the degrees, the certifications, and any past jobs that show you have experience in being a product buyer.

Interview Questions for a Product Buyer

Q1: Do you have any experience in product buying?

Why it works: This is so the interviewer knows that you can do the job and how much training you would need if they hired you.

Q2: How well are your negotiation skills, and are you willing to learn how to improve?

Why it works: This will show the interviewer that you can negotiate and can learn how to do better at negotiating even if you are already good at it.

Q3: What makes you a good fit here?

Why it works: This is how the interviewer can tell if you have researched the company. They are more inclined to hire the ones they do, so research the particular company before applying and when you get that interview.

Q4: Are you able to communicate clearly?

Why it works: This would tell the interviewer that you would be able to talk to suppliers with clear intent and not make a big mess in the ordering process and have to cancel the order or return items and order again.

Jobs Related to a Product Buyer

Purchasing Managers
Receiving Clerk
Supply Chain Manager
Procurement Specialist
Purchasing Agent
Materials Manager
Purchasing Director

For HR Managers: Tips for Hiring a Product Buyer

Key Characteristics to Look for in a Product Buyer

As an HR manager, you must look for analytical, negotiation, and math skills.

Make sure the buyer has good communication and decision-making skills as well.

These are vital for them to have success and for your business to have the success it needs.

Minimum Level of Education & Experience

At the very least, make sure they have a high school degree and some experience in product buying, like a certificate related to the job and the needed skills.