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Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Did You Know:*

  • About 42 percent of purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents are employed in wholesale trade or manufacturing establishments.
  • Employment is projected to grow 7 percent, which is as fast as the average.
  • Opportunities should be best for those with a college degree in engineering, business, economics or one of the applied sciences.
  • Prospects often need continuing education or certification to advance.

Industry Areas

  • Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers
  • Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises

Day-to-Day 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.
  • Arrange for processing or resale of purchased products.

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Overall Kind of Work*

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents buy a vast array of farm products, durable and nondurable goods, and services for companies and institutions. They attempt to get the best deal f...

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Work Environment*

Civilian

Most purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents work in comfortable offices. They frequently work more than the standard 40-hour week, because of special sales, conferences or production de...

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Workweek Breakdown

The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 25.54% (0-20 Hours)
  • 36.94% (40 Hours)
  • 17.64% (41-49 Hours)
  • 19.89% (Over 50 Hours)

This data also pertains to Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products (13-1021)

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: Low
People: Medium
Things: Medium

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: Medium
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Medium
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Medium
Math & Science Skills: Medium
Technology Design & Control: Medium
Leadership: High

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: Low
Exposure to Job Hazards: Medium
Physical Activity: Low
Decision Making: High
Repetitiveness: High
Level of Competition: High
Time Pressure: Low

Business Breakdown

The different sectors people in this career currently work in.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 69.82% (Private For-Profit)
  • 0.87% (State and Local Govt)
  • 1.94% (Federal Government)
  • 27.37% (Self-Employed)
*Did You know, Day to Day Tasks, Overall Kind of Work, and Work Environment relate to Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products, which includes Purchasing Managers; Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products; Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products; Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products.