Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Working Life

Retail buyers buy goods from importers, manufacturers, growers, wholesalers and fashion houses etc, to sell at a profit. They attend trade and/or fashion shows, visit warehouses and see representatives who call with samples and catalogues. In some cases, they make business trips overseas. Buyers also have a crucial role in product development, talking to manufacturers or designers about possible new lines.  
 
The success of the business depends on the buyer getting the right goods, at the right price, to the right place, at the right time. To do this, they must keep to their budget and work out whether the goods will sell once the firm's mark-up is added to the cost price. They take into consideration store policy, public demand and the economic situation. Data from sales outlets must be scrutinised and past sales figures analysed.  
 
Buyers have to anticipate trends, find new sources of supply, and negotiate with suppliers. They discuss contracts, arrange delivery dates so that goods arrive on time and warehouses are not overstocked, and then monitor the profitability of merchandise.  
 
In large stores, there may be a team of retail buyers who specialise in specific areas or departments. A retail buyer can specialise in specific products in smaller outlets in areas such as Fashion, Wines and Spirits etc.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
• Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.
• Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
• Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
• Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
• Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
• Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
• Control purchasing department budgets.

Further Information

• Purchasing Manager- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Retail outlets recruit retail buyers from a variety of sources. Existing junior employees that show potential may undertake long-term management training programmes. These programmes are usually store based with additional courses to improve specific skills or to cover the more theoretical aspects of retailing. It is possible to start as a retail assistant without qualifications and gain promotion to managerial posts.  

A varied job background is also beneficial as many skills are transferable, and many wholesalers have a background in sales, business management or logistics; but some wholesalers employ people with those skills. It is also important to have an extended network of contacts in the relevant industry.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, retail customer service, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, sales, marketing, commerce, retail and merchandising, retail business and customer service, retail studies, business, logistics, distribution, purchasing, supply chain, purchasing, procurement.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Retail Supervision, Logistics, Supply, Lean Sigma Management.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, retail and services management, retail management, marketing, e-commerce, retailing, economics, quantity surveying, logistics, supply chain management.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business, retail management, marketing, retail innovation, procurement, supply.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Retail Skillnet

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

You may be able to make important contacts and keep up-to-date on relevant regulations and news, events and training opportunities in your sector through professional organisations. Many different industries have their own professional organisations for wholesalers, such as:

• Association of Electrical Wholesalers
• Hardware Association Ireland
• Irish Food Service Suppliers Alliance
• The Society of the Irish Motor Industry

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €85k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / Clark/ Excel/ Lincoln/ Osborne

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Buyers and procurement officers, Marketing associate professionals, Estate agents and auctioneers, Conference and exhibition managers and organisers, Property, housing and estate managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth was above average for this occupation, having grown steadily between 2018 and 2021; employment levels have declined annually since (and by 3,000 in 2023). Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) were mainly for buyers and procurement officers. Approximately half of the new employment permits issued in 2023 were for the ICT sector (although the share in employment in this sector was small); roles included marketing executives, procurement and supply chain roles and account managers/strategists.

Difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to procurement and supply chain roles. Skills identified in the Spotlight on Skills data included bid preparation, procurement, and tender writing skills.

• Retail Ireland

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• Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)

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