A materials buyer sources and purchases materials for their employer, requiring business administration training and experience in materials procurement. They research sources, compare quality and pricing, and establish relationships with suppliers. They may need to travel and work odd hours, make decisions about substitutions, and consider labor laws and environmental regulations. They may have assistants and need software knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Mistakes can result in costly downtime.
A materials buyer identifies the sources of materials required by the employer and arranges for the purchase of those materials. This work can involve a wide variety of industries and work environments. There are no special requirements for a position as a materials buyer, although some business administration training is helpful, as is experience with materials procurement and management.
Material buyers receive lists of materials needed by their employers and can also work with individual departments during project development to help those departments identify the best materials for the project. Using information about what the employer needs, the material buyer researches sources and compares quality, pricing, delivery policies, and other terms and conditions. The buyer can also work on establishing professional relationships with material sources, especially if the need persists.
That job could involve anything from buying chemical supplies for a college or university to sourcing raw materials to make clothes. Material buyers often have to travel to inspect products and meet with potential suppliers. They may also find themselves in the office at odd hours to interact with vendors in different time zones, and they need to be effective and efficient communicators. Being able to describe needs when working with suppliers is critical to ensuring delivery of the right materials.
Detailed knowledge is also helpful as a material buyer may need to make decisions about substitutions and other available options when ordering materials. Other issues to consider may include issues such as labor laws and environmental regulations. The buyer might work for a company committed to ethically sourcing supplies, for example, or be employed in a country where there are strict rules on raw materials used in manufacturing and other industries.
Depending on the size of the company, the materials buyer may have one or more assistants to help with research and order placement. Software knowledge is often a requirement as buyers need to be able to interact with in-house inventory systems as well as order programs maintained by vendors. Being able to think creatively and critically can also be valuable, as material buyers may need to act quickly to secure material supplies, make quick decisions under pressure, and anticipate material needs from employers to secure materials. availability. Mistakes made while purchasing materials can result in costly downtime and frustration.
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