A manufacturing buyer and planner is someone who handles the organization and purchase of products and services for a company. Buyers work in a wide array of industries and purchase things such as tools, vehicles or retail merchandise or equipment for resale. They keep track of orders, file invoices, manage a budget and in some instances, direct a team of employees.

Basics

Manufacturing buyers spend the majority of their time negotiating with manufacturers or service providers on prices of goods related to their industry. They make recommendations to upper management on possible purchases, monitoring trends and attempting to find the potential deals. Manufacturing buyers also attempt to find new products that might improve their company’s performance. In doing so, they generate ideas to keep the company under budget. At the very least, they must make sure the company does not overspend.

Skills

A manufacturing buyer and planner must be highly organized and an expert when it comes to his company’s goals and needs. He should be an exceptional communicator, as he interacts with everyone from upper management to salesmen to his own staff on a frequent basis. And considering much of his job involves pricing and cost analysis, he also will need basic math skills. On top of those traits, manufacturing buyers should be professional, confident, dependable and keen negotiators.

Background

Most companies prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree and experience working in a purchasing role. Some manufacturing buyers also obtain certification, which varies by state and industry. Areas of study typically include business, administration, economics, customer service, communications and mathematics. More than anything, manufacturing buyers usually will have displayed leadership and bargaining skills.

Prospects

Jobs for manufacturing buyers are expected to increase by 7 percent during the 2008-18 decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is about as fast as average for all occupations. More than 457,000 workers were employed as buyers in May 2008, according to the BLS. The BLS also noted that people with “a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, or one of the applied sciences should have the best chance of obtaining a buyer position.”

Earnings

Jobs for manufacturing buyers are expected to increase by 7 percent during the 2008-18 decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is about as fast as average for all occupations. More than 457,000 workers were employed as buyers in May 2008, according to the BLS. The BLS also noted that people with “a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, or one of the applied sciences should have the best chance of obtaining a buyer position.”