Potential Career/Occupation Information

Occupation Information table

Overview:	Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products.
Duties:	Use computers to organize and locate inventory, and operate spreadsheet and word processing software. Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise. Manage the department for which they buy. Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences. Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors. Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed. Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise. Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise. Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products. Conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.
Degree(s):	A.A.S. Accounting
Job Outlook:	Employment in this field is projected to grow 5% to 8% percent from 2018 to 2028, which matches the average growth rate for all occupations.
Green:
Education Level:	Training for this occupation generally requires an Associate Degree from a 2 year or community college.
Recommended Skills:	Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action. Actively looking for ways to help people. Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made. The ability to make appropriate use of equipment and materials to get a job done. Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed. Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems. The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports. Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions. Teaching others how to do something.
Recommended Values:	Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time.

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.