what does the role of a buyer involve?
As the name suggests, the buyer's role is to acquire the products and services that their company needs, under the best possible terms in terms of price and delivery times. This strategic function is most often carried out within large organisations and offers promising career prospects.
what is your mission as a buyer?
The daily routine of a buyer can be divided into three parts: prospecting, negotiation, and purchasing. During the prospecting phase, they are constantly alert to market developments and know how to find the best current prices based on their employer’s needs. Next comes the negotiation period: the buyer contacts suppliers and discusses issues such as price, quantity, and quality of the products, aiming to secure discounts.
Depending on the outcome of the negotiations, the buyer then decides to proceed to the acquisition phase, always keeping in mind the budget allocated by their company. This third stage may involve visiting suppliers in person, including abroad in the case of an international buyer.
The role of a buyer reflects your tenacity, self-confidence, and love of challenges. Find out which skills and qualifications you need to develop to become a buyer.
discover our offersaverage salary for the purchasing officer position.
The starting salary for a junior non-managerial buyer typically corresponds to the qualified minimum wage, which is around €3,250 gross per month. If you work in a purchasing centre, you can expect a salary between €3,500 and €4,000 gross per month, often supplemented by a variable component. As for experienced buyers, they can earn upwards of €6,000 gross per month.
what are the factors that determine the salary for a buyer position?
Perhaps even more than in other professions, the average salary of a buyer can vary significantly. The main factors influencing pay are the industry sector your company operates in (food, automotive, luxury, etc.) and its size (medium-sized business or large corporation, purchasing centre, multinational). Your salary also depends on your experience and the specific role you hold (industrial buyer, purchasing assistant, supply chain coordinator, etc.). Additionally, the number of languages you speak may also have an impact.
types of buyer positions.
There are various types of purchasing roles, such as:
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Supplier: reporting to the purchasing manager, he is responsible for a specific portfolio of suppliers. He ensures that the relevant products are available within the scheduled timeframes and maintains the quality of the supplies.
- Industrial or technical buyer: they select and negotiate the purchase of consumable products and raw materials needed for their company's production services.
- Public procurement buyer: they manage the purchasing of services and goods according to the needs of the departments they oversee. They are familiar with the Public Procurement Code. As a result, they can prepare the specifications for requests, handle advertising, participate in committees, select companies, and potentially negotiate with them.
working as a buyer.
Under the supervision of the purchasing manager or the market manager, you may sometimes oversee purchasing assistants who support you in your tasks of prospecting, negotiating, and sourcing. Find out more about the day-to-day work of a buyer, how the work schedule is organised, and the career prospects available.
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tasks and responsibilities
The main activities of a buyer are as follows:
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Analysis and quantification of needs: you identify what the needs are, analyse their evolution, and examine any potential changes that could impact your portfolio (technological, normative, regulatory changes, etc.).
- Drafting the specifications document: in collaboration with clients and internal stakeholders, you prepare the specifications and develop the criteria matrix for selection.
- Definition of the purchasing process: You are involved in developing the strategic directions and priority actions related to the selection of suppliers and service providers.
- Supplier selection: after choosing certain suppliers, you issue tenders or calls for proposals and gather the commercial offers.
- Negotiations: either at your company's premises or at those of the selected suppliers, you conduct discussions to negotiate the best possible purchase terms.
- Finalising contracts: in collaboration with the legal department, you will be involved in drafting the contracts.
- Contract monitoring: ensuring the proper execution of contracts and managing any potential disputes are also your responsibility.
- Budget management: your activity also includes monitoring the budget, settling supplier payments, and preparing reports related to the purchasing department's activities.
- Annual performance review: based on the criteria established by the procurement management, you assess the various suppliers.
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work framework
The buyer operates across many sectors, but is predominantly employed by large corporations or SMEs with over 200 employees. As a buyer, you could be employed by companies in manufacturing, retail (within purchasing centres), services, luxury, fashion, and so on. If you spend a significant part of your day in an office, you may also need to travel to Luxembourg or around the world to meet suppliers. Depending on your company's sector, travel can make up a more or less substantial part of your schedule.
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who are your colleagues?
According to your employer, you may have colleagues who are sales managers, store managers, legal specialists, or public procurement writers. You might also work alongside purchasing directors and other specialists, such as sales directors.
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organisation of work
Depending on your position within the company, you work 40 hours a week or sign a contract based on a fixed number of days. For example, this is common in retail, particularly when annual contracts are negotiated. It also happens in manufacturing, especially during busy periods. The times of increased workload therefore vary depending on your employer’s activity. If you travel abroad frequently, you might need to meet suppliers or undertake journeys during days that are usually days off, such as weekends.
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perspectives for development
At the start of your purchasing career, you typically begin as an assistant buyer before progressing to a buyer role. With experience, you can then advance to positions such as purchasing director or procurement manager, or take on a team leader role in large retail companies. It is also possible to apply for roles such as logistics manager, stock management supervisor, or quality assurance officer in purchasing.
securing a purchasing role with randstad.
By searching for your purchasing role with Randstad, you benefit from some great advantages, such as:
- a wide variety of companies to work for and opportunities for development.
- an experienced contact to assist you if needed
- a range of opportunities in your sector
- a weekly or monthly salary depending on the position
- permanent contracts, fixed-term contracts, and temporary assignments
Would you like to be offered a permanent contract? In many cases, working as a temporary buyer is a stepping stone that can lead to securing a permanent position. Many companies also recruit their staff directly on permanent contracts through Randstad.
training and skills.
To become a buyer in Luxembourg, it is essential to develop skills in negotiation, supply chain management, and market analysis. The role of a buyer is to select suppliers, acquire the necessary goods and services, and manage contracts to meet the company's needs. Here are the types of training and skills required to become a buyer in Luxembourg:
- Training in purchasing management or commerce: To become a buyer, you can obtain a BTS specialising in commerce (two years of higher education), but employers are increasingly seeking candidates with higher qualifications. This could include degrees from business schools, Master’s programmes, or diplomas from specialised training institutes. These courses cover purchasing techniques, negotiation strategies, supplier management, logistics, as well as the legal and contractual aspects of procurement.
- Negotiation and communication skills: a buyer must be a skilled negotiator and possess excellent communication abilities to interact effectively with suppliers and other stakeholders. Strong negotiation skills enable the buyer to secure favourable purchasing terms for the company.
- Market and supplier knowledge: a buyer must be informed about market trends and have an in-depth understanding of potential suppliers. This includes assessing supplier performance, managing supplier relationships, and seeking out new sourcing opportunities.
- Analytical skills: Data analysis is important for assessing costs, prices, supplier performance, and market trends. A buyer needs to have analytical skills to make informed decisions and optimize purchasing.
- Project management skills: purchasing goods and services often involves managing procurement projects. A buyer must therefore be able to plan, organise, and coordinate the various stages of the purchasing process to ensure the company's needs are met promptly.
know-how and skills
In order to become a proficient buyer, certain qualities and skills are particularly important:
- Negotiator skills combined with tenacity and diplomacy: to successfully carry out negotiations, you utilise your powers of persuasion and conviction. You know how to stand firm on your objectives while making concessions when necessary. Diplomatic and perceptive, you analyse the profile of your counterparts to find the best way to negotiate with them.
- A good understanding of the market and its products: mastering your sector enables you to find convincing arguments that are decisive during negotiations.
- Method, rigour, and curiosity: thanks to your good organisation, you keep daily track of news related to your company's products, including price changes, product range, supplier lead times, and competitors' progress, among other things.
- Stress resilience: negotiations can sometimes be intense and tense, with significant stakes, especially financially. Well prepared, you handle these situations calmly.
- Availability and adaptability: In a globalised economy, you are prepared to undertake frequent travel to meet key suppliers, whether in Luxembourg or abroad. While video conferences are an option, some negotiations are best conducted face-to-face.
- Foreign language proficiency: whether you are in contact with suppliers in Luxembourg or internationally, it is generally necessary to speak at least two foreign languages (French and English).
FAQs.
FAQ sur le métier d'acheteur
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what qualities are required to become a buyer in the fashion industry?
In addition to your procurement skills, it’s beneficial to have a passion for fashion. In this particular industry, it’s important to keep up with market trends, anticipate innovations or emerging styles, and spot new designers, fabrics, or colours that will be in vogue for the upcoming season.
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how to improve your negotiating skills as a buyer?
To negotiate effectively, it is advisable to be confident and ambitious. By being able to assert your positions and maintain eye contact with your counterpart during the negotiation phase, you project an image of yourself that can work in your favour when discussing prices and quantities.
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how many foreign languages are useful for an international buyer?
To be an international buyer, it’s important to be proficient in at least two foreign languages. English is essential, and the choice of a second language depends on your company's sector. If you speak fluently a less common language in Luxembourg, such as Russian, Portuguese, or Mandarin, you will stand out from other candidates to your advantage.
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can a career as a buyer lead to international opportunities?
Depending on the company you work for, you make purchases from an international supplier base. You may also manage procurement for various entities within your organisation, located in different countries. In this context, you can establish useful contacts if you're considering a career abroad.
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how to apply for a buyer's position?
To apply for a buyer position, it's simple: create a Randstad account, browse the job offers in your sector, then send us your CV and cover letter.
