What Is The Role Of A Buyer?
Filed Under Blog
In a sense, this question may seem a little basic. After all, it could be summed up by simply asserting that the role of a buyer is to …..BUY! however, like so many issues, there is much more than meets the eye to this question…..
First of all there are different kinds of buyers. For example, a buyer in a retail industry will have a different role from a buyer for a manufacturing company. Then there are pharmaceutical buyers or healthcare buyers.
However, no matter what ‘kind’ of buyer is being discussed, there are some areas of common ground. So the roles may vary according to whichever industry the buyer is located in, but there are some similarities.
Buyers Do More Than Buy!
The first thing that any buyer will tell you is that they do more than buy. They need a real understanding of the markets in which they operate. They need to be aware of all the possible fluctuations that can occur and even how the foreign exchange rates may impact on what they are about to purchase or have purchased.
Buyers also need to be financially astute and aware of exactly what is on offer and at what price, so they do not make the mistake of falling into bed with one supplier, only to find out that they could have sourced the goods at a more favourable rate elsewhere.
Buyers and Suppliers
Buyers also need to build up strong and trusting relationships with suppliers. If they fail to do this, then the supply chain can become weak and the risks of the supply chain being unable to cope with sudden variances can become a real threat to the successful flow of supplies.
So buyers need to work with the suppliers to make sure that they can deliver the supplies on a continuous basis and that the price will be as per the price that was agreed.
The days of very adversarial approaches o buying have long since disappeared and instead the buyer attempts to work with the supplier to ensure that the supply chain is effective and stable. But at the same time, the buyer still has to keep a watchful eye on what the supplier’s competitors is offering, to ensure that the company they are working for are getting the best deal.
In a sense therefore they are trying to foster good and very positive relationships with suppliers, whilst being aware that this is a business arrangement and the contract may be ended at any point.
Quality Control
Buyers also have a role in ensuring that the items they purchase are of good quality and that the quality is consistent, within set parameters. There is no point in buying shoddy goods, but the items need to be of a fairly standard quality with little in the way of variations. This means that the buyers have to be aware of quality issues and not allow price to outweigh the demand to have good quality products available.
Innovative Approaches
Buyers also have to be mindful of how things can change in the market place, with new products coming on the market that can replace products or goods. For example, if there is a new man made fabric that comes onto the market, that can be as good as wool and is far cheaper, then if appropriate suppliers should be switched, so that the new product can be used to replace the more expensive wool.
The role of a buyer is therefore one that is relatively multi-faceted and one that is often quite challenging and can be at times, relatively stressful, but ultimately quite a rewarding career!