How to become a Buyer
Also called: Merchandise buyer (wholesale/retail trade), Merchandise purchaser (wholesale/retail trade), Merchandise buyer (wholesale/retail trade), Merchandise purchaser (wholesale/retail trade)
Buyer buys goods for resale in wholesale and retail trade and studying market information on varieties, qualities and prices of goods available. He/she negotiates with suppliers on prices, credit terms, discounts for quantity and arranges delivery schedules. He/she authorises payment of invoices. He/she may price items for resale and oversee distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintain adequate stock levels.
Main tasks
- Determining or negotiating contract terms and conditions, awarding supplier contracts or recommending contract awards for the purchase of equipment, raw materials products, services and the purchasing of merchandise for resale
- Obtaining information about requirements and stock and developing specifications for quantity and quality to be purchased, costs, delivery dates and other contract conditions
- Inviting tenders, consulting with suppliers and reviewing quotations
- Purchasing merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments
- Studying market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visiting trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events
- Selecting the merchandise or products that best fit the establishment’s requirements
- Interviewing suppliers and negotiating prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $56,328 a year. The middle half earn $43,296 to $73,380 a year.
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Purchasing agent
- Insurance sales agent/broker
- Business development executive
- After sales adviser/Client account service executive
- Marketing and sales executive (food and beverage services)
- Online sales channel executive
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Questions people ask
How much does a Buyer earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $56,328 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $43,296 to $73,380.
Will AI change the work of a Buyer?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026