A materials buyer locates sources for materials that an employer requires and arranges for their purchase. This job can take you to a variety of industries and work settings. There are no specific qualifications for a position as a materials buyer, though some business administration training and experience with material procurement and management are advantageous.
Employers provide materials buyers with lists of required materials, and materials buyers may also collaborate with individual departments during project development to assist those departments in identifying the best materials for the project. The materials buyer researches sources and compares quality, pricing, delivery policies, and other terms and conditions using information about what the employer requires. If the need for materials will be ongoing, the buyer may also work on establishing professional relationships with material sources.
This job can range from acquiring raw materials for garment manufacturing to purchasing chemistry supplies for a college or university. Buyers of materials frequently travel to inspect products and meet with prospective suppliers. They may also be required to be in the office at odd hours in order to communicate with suppliers in different time zones, and they must be effective and efficient communicators. When working with suppliers, being able to describe needs is critical to ensuring that the right materials are delivered.
When placing material orders, a materials buyer may need to make decisions about substitutions and other options available, so detailed knowledge is beneficial. Other factors to think about include labor laws and environmental regulations. The buyer might work for a company dedicated to ethical supply sourcing, or he or she might live in a country where raw materials used in manufacturing and other industries are governed by strict regulations.
A materials buyer may have one or more assistants to assist with research and order placement, depending on the size of the company. Buyers must be able to interact with internal inventory systems as well as supplier-maintained ordering programs, so software knowledge is usually required. Being able to think creatively and critically can be valuable as well, since materials buyers may need to be able to act fast to secure supplies of materials, to make snap decisions under pressure, and to anticipate materials needs on the part of employers to ensure materials availability. Material procurement errors can result in expensive shutdowns and frustration.