Occupation Profile for Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products
Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale.
Signficant Points
- About 43 percent are employed in wholesale trade or manufacturing establishments.
- Some firms prefer to promote existing employees to these positions, while others recruit and train college graduates.
- Employment is projected to have little or no job growth.
- Opportunities should be best for those with a college degree.
Tasks
- Core — Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
- Core — Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
- Core — Purchase for further processing or for resale farm products such as milk, grains, and Christmas trees.
- Core — Arrange for processing and/or resale of purchased products.
- Core — Arrange for transportation and/or storage of purchased products.
Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

