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What is a junior buyer/buyer and how to become one
Junior buyers perform different entry-level activities related to the particular merchandise their business or employer is engaged in. They may be expected to purchase products, equipment, and other related facilities and engage in more formal contract negotiations and agreements. Their work is managed by higher-level purchasing employees.
The basic duties of a junior buyer include checking procurement requests, conferring on other departments to check purchases, calling vendors and assessing bids submitted by suppliers, supporting various purchase processes, inventories, budgets, plans, and related preparations. Their key duties also include assessing procurement requirements, reviewing quotations and bids for the suitability, expense, and supply of goods.
Due to the essence of the job, junior buyers need to be knowledgeable about computing in order to complete projects that use word processing, spreadsheets, the Internet, and other software programs. There is no specific degree to become a junior buyer. However, many larger retailers can send their junior buyers to product-specific training courses.
Avg. Salary $52,374
Avg. Salary $59,228
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.78%
Asian 7.78%
Black or African American 9.01%
Hispanic or Latino 12.37%
Unknown 4.40%
White 65.66%
Genderfemale 70.23%
male 29.77%
Age - 49American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 49Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Junior buyer/buyer career paths
Key steps to become a junior buyer/buyer
Explore junior buyer/buyer education requirements
Start to develop specific junior buyer/buyer skills
Skills Percentages Purchase Orders 30.68% MRP 7.11% ERP 5.21% Data Entry 3.89% Strong Analytical 3.20% Complete relevant junior buyer/buyer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior buyers/buyers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior buyer/buyer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior buyer/buyer resumes.Research junior buyer/buyer duties and responsibilities
- Manage and purchase commodities ranging from foil packaging and corrugate packaging to numerous food ingredients.
- Assure suppliers comply with safety and quality alignments within company standards and manage non-conformance reporting for logistics as per company policy.
- Source through ERP system to accommodate qualify requirements put out by OEM sales force.
- Maintain ISO compliance status by ensuring all documents, processes, forms follow ISO standards.
Prepare your junior buyer/buyer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior buyer/buyer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a junior buyer/buyer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable junior buyer/buyer resume templates
Build a professional junior buyer/buyer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior buyer/buyer resume.
Apply for junior buyer/buyer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a junior buyer/buyer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first junior buyer/buyer job
Are you a junior buyer/buyer?
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Average junior buyer/buyer salary
The average junior buyer/buyer salary in the United States is $52,374 per year or $25 per hour. Junior buyer/buyer salaries range between $39,000 and $69,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do junior buyers/buyers rate their job?
Junior buyer/buyer reviews
To be involved in negotiations
I like all in this job, because I have the choise to be in relation with a lot of persons and know what they are doing against purchasing also what the use to buy and under what coondition
I learned all that I knew by doing. I had no college just hands on by day to day interaction with vendors and co workers.
In most cases I'm finding you need a college degree to do what I did without it. I know there is a company out there that would train me. I could be an asset if given a chance.
Updated January 8, 2025
