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Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

In the Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products occupation, workers purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on critical thinking, active listening, and speaking. Expect to purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees. The strongest interest signal is Enterprising (4.9 of 7), then Conventional (4.8) and Realistic, which gives it the code ECR. You may also need to negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products. People who want leading, persuading and making business decisions usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.

Main tasks

  • Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees.
  • Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
  • Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
  • Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand.
  • Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products.
  • Coordinate or direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and maintaining records.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Negotiation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECR takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Also called

  • Buyer
  • Cattle Buyer
  • Grain Buyer
  • Grain Market Advisor
  • Grain Marketing Advisor

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.