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How to hire a junior buyer/buyer

Junior buyer/buyer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring junior buyers/buyers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a junior buyer/buyer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new junior buyer/buyer to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a junior buyer/buyer, step by step

To hire a junior buyer/buyer, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a junior buyer/buyer:

Here's a step-by-step junior buyer/buyer hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a junior buyer/buyer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new junior buyer/buyer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a junior buyer/buyer do?

A junior buyer/buyer is in charge of purchasing supplies in adherence to company goals. Their responsibilities typically revolve around participating in meetings that discuss the kinds of products to procure, performing research and analysis to find the ideal vendors or suppliers, liaising and negotiating with external parties, maintaining invoices and records of all transactions, and producing progress reports. Furthermore, it is essential to monitor the shipment and deliveries of supplies, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Should there be any problems, it is necessary to coordinate with vendors right away.

Learn more about the specifics of what a junior buyer/buyer does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the junior buyer/buyer you need to hire. Certain junior buyer/buyer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A junior buyer/buyer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, junior buyers/buyers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of junior buyers/buyers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Junior Buyer/BuyerDescriptionHourly rate
    Junior Buyer/BuyerBuyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review the quality of products.$18-33
    LandmanLandmen are referred to as the public-facing side of a gas, mineral, and oil exploration and production team. They are professionals who interact and negotiate directly with landowners for the acquisition of gas and oil drilling leases... Show more$25-61
    Contracts AdministratorContract administrators create and manage legal contracts from which the company participates. They ensure that all entities to the contract will accomplish their obligations, as indicated in the contract... Show more$16-37
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Purchase Orders
    • MRP
    • ERP
    • Data Entry
    • Strong Analytical
    • JR
    • Office Equipment
    • Cost Savings
    • Inventory Control
    • RFQ
    • Commodities
    • On-Time Delivery
    • Inventory Management
    • Place Orders
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Assist in requesting RFQ's for procurement of components need for refinery project in Beaumont, TX.
    • Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids to suppliers through RFQ process.
    More junior buyer/buyer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your junior buyer/buyer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A junior buyer/buyer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a junior buyer/buyer in Louisiana may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level junior buyer/buyer usually earns less than a senior-level junior buyer/buyer. Additionally, a junior buyer/buyer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average junior buyer/buyer salary

    $52,374yearly

    $25.18 hourly rate

    Entry-level junior buyer/buyer salary
    $39,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average junior buyer/buyer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New Jersey$65,296$31
    2Maryland$63,332$30
    3Illinois$61,114$29
    4Connecticut$58,868$28
    5Massachusetts$56,893$27
    6New York$55,786$27
    7West Virginia$55,776$27
    8Wisconsin$55,256$27
    9Pennsylvania$54,204$26
    10Nevada$53,067$26
    11Virginia$52,389$25
    12California$52,301$25
    13Oregon$51,269$25
    14Kansas$51,100$25
    15Indiana$49,512$24
    16Georgia$48,221$23
    17Texas$46,701$22
    18Louisiana$44,875$22
    19North Dakota$44,552$21
    20Arizona$43,590$21

    Average junior buyer/buyer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Astronics$71,141$34.207
    2Mack Trucks$64,354$30.94
    3Carrier$64,084$30.81
    4GroupM$60,399$29.04
    5Hubbell$59,509$28.612
    6Gentherm$59,451$28.58
    7Johnson Controls$59,383$28.554
    8JH Kelly$58,339$28.05
    9NEX$57,988$27.88
    10Teledyne Technologies Incorporated$57,414$27.607
    11kSARIA$57,232$27.52
    12Federal Signal$57,143$27.473
    13Oscor$56,611$27.22
    14Bosch USA$56,354$27.09
    15McKesson$56,292$27.062
    16Precision Castparts$55,793$26.825
    17Amneal Pharmaceuticals$55,760$26.81
    18enVista$55,705$26.783
    19Clyde Companies$55,672$26.77
    20QPS$55,446$26.66
  4. Writing a junior buyer/buyer job description

    A job description for a junior buyer/buyer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a junior buyer/buyer job description:

    Junior buyer/buyer job description example

    908 Devices Inc. has developed an innovative suite of purpose-built handheld and desktop mass spec devices for the point-of-need. Leveraging our proprietary platform technology, we make the extraordinary analytical power of mass spec available in significantly smaller and more accessible devices than conventional laboratory instruments. Our devices are used at the point of need to interrogate unknown and invisible materials and provide quick, actionable answers to directly address some of the most critical problems in life sciences research, bioprocessing, industrial biotech, forensics, and adjacent markets. We are reimagining where mass spec technology can be used if it is sufficiently small in size, low in cost, and simple to operate.

    908 Devices is headquartered in Boston, MA, near the Seaport and has a satellite office in North Carolina and a growing population of remote staff worldwide.

    Junior Buyer

    Position Overview

    Responsible for scheduling, and procurement of raw materials, parts, and components consistent with company policies and procedures. Maintain inventory at target level. The Buyer ensures continuous flow of materials to support manufacturing.

    Primary Responsibilities

    • Plan and purchase material daily to support production and optimize inventory utilizing MRP.
    • Monitor material requirements and expedite deliveries as required to synchronize supply chain inventory with customer demand.
    • Expedite orders when necessary and negotiate considerations from suppliers with delinquent delivery status.
    • Communicate purchase order status with internal customers (i.e., engineering, sales, and management).
    • Establish and maintain order policies and lead times for product.
    • Drive lead time reductions and establish supplier stocking agreements.
    • Request pricing quote from suppliers for materials or services to determine the best quality at the best price.
    • Coordinate efforts with suppliers and engineering as requested.
    • Perform other duties as assigned.

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

    • 1-2 years' experience preferred
    • Strong computer skills and knowledge of MS Office.
    • Experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment a plus.
    • Seek continuous education of materials management theories, processes and practices as
    • department budget allows.
    • Active and professional communication with team, internal customers and suppliers.
    • Exhibit & encourage sense of urgency, highly energetic and success driven.
    • Multi-task and prioritize projects and primary responsibilities.
    • Negotiate lead-time reduction and/or stocking programs with suppliers to reduce inventory

    We are proud to be a company changing the status quo in our industry. Join us and work with curious and innovative people, creative problem solvers, risk-takers, and dedicated colleagues as we reimagine the future of Mass Spec.

    908 Devices does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

  5. Post your job

    To find junior buyers/buyers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any junior buyers/buyers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level junior buyers/buyers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your junior buyer/buyer job on Zippia to find and recruit junior buyer/buyer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with junior buyer/buyer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new junior buyer/buyer

    Once you have selected a candidate for the junior buyer/buyer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new junior buyer/buyer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a junior buyer/buyer?

There are different types of costs for hiring junior buyers/buyers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new junior buyer/buyer employee.

You can expect to pay around $52,374 per year for a junior buyer/buyer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for junior buyers/buyers in the US typically range between $18 and $33 an hour.

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