Retail and Wool Buyers

What the job involves

• Monitoring sales data and stock levels, and studying trade, manufacturers' and market information to keep informed of changing market conditions
• Negotiating purchase, promotion and supply arrangements with suppliers
• Designing and implementing pricing, marketing, promotional and display strategies
• Liaising with management on long-term planning and sales promotions
• Establishing working plans according to seasonal and budgetary requirements
• Anticipating consumer trends and determining quantity, style and quality of goods to be purchased
• Inspecting, comparing, selecting and valuing wool by determining colour, yield, micron and length
• Inspecting and buying wool at auction, in wool brokers' stores and in farm sheds
• Receiving samples from scoured wool exchanges
• May visit freezing works to buy slipe wool

Key values of workers in Retail and Wool Buyers

• Relationships

  Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

• Support

  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

• Independence

  Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

• Recognition

  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

• Working Conditions

  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Top skills required for workers in Retail and Wool Buyers

• Active Listening

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Persuasion

  Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

• Active Learning

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.