Perhaps, while surfing the web, you happened to come across a job ad for an ecommerce buyer. A very important and versatile figure for the profitability of an ecommerce and to increase its turnover… but that not everyone knows exactly what he or she does! We at Webhero do, since we deal with Ecommerce and SEO for ecommerce on a daily basis, we’ll explain how it works.
Who is the ecommerce buyer?
The buyer-or purchasing manager-is a figure who is responsible for planning the selection and purchase of goods and services for resale by an ecommerce.
As a purchasing manager, this figure must be responsible for planning procurement in order to optimize inventory, improve storage flows with a view to reducing costs. Depending on the reality in which he or she operates, he or she may be in charge of choosing raw materials to purchase, as well as products to resell and energy suppliers.
This is a very complex task-though it may not seem so-since the figure in question must be able to understand the needs and preferences of the designated target audience and know how to negotiate smoothly between the parties involved.
The buyer covers many useful functions in ecommerce purchasing and sales including:
- establishing procurement strategies
- selecting the most advantageous suppliers (scouting)
- evaluating designers to understand what they offer
- negotiating procurement budgets with management
- managing relationships with suppliers and customers
- plan purchases (quantities, deadlines) within the assigned budget
- study market trends
- supervise the distribution of goods
- monitor stock trends
- assess the quality of products distributed
- keep abreast of changes in the industry and customer tastes
- visit showrooms, trade shows, and industry events
- study sales materials
- store item master records using management software
- collaborate with other departments in the company to make reasoned decisions
- evaluate the terms and conditions of purchasing contracts
- prepare reports for the purchasing department
What an ecommerce buyer does
The buyer is in charge of evaluating suppliers and their respective offerings to judge whether they are congruent with his company’s needs. He must, of course, understand changes in the market to ascertain whether the goods he can buy meet the needs of his target audience.
He negotiates with suppliers to buy products within the predetermined budget and to possibly obtain discounts. It directly checks the quality of products and, if it finds discrepancies with what was agreed upon, it points this out to suppliers.
In a broader sense, he frequently monitors the industry to define changes in trends that may affect the ability to sell goods. Analyzes the results of market research to define the product lines to be sold. It also makes decisions on final product details, models, sizes and colors. To this end, he compares with suppliers and designers to evaluate the choices available.
Once the products have been chosen, he presents them to the senior manager who gives the go-ahead for distribution in stores. Of course, he can also think of new product lines than conventional ones to propose to the company.
In the supervisor’s capacity, he serves as a unifying figure for the various business sections, oversees the work of the salespeople, and liaises with the sales department to decide whether it is appropriate to withdraw a product that is no longer profitable. Based on the information from the various company departments (purchasing, production, sales…) he can make more effective decisions, and possibly modify the purchasing plans undertaken based on additional data received.
On the administrative side, he or she is responsible for checking quotes, contacting suppliers to make sure deliveries are made on time.
What characteristics should the ecommerce buyer have
The buyer generally possesses excellent communication skills, both written and oral, which he or she uses in negotiating with suppliers.
He or she possesses excellent organizational and planning skills to perform his or her tasks to the best of his or her ability, excellent mathematical skills to compare prices, and data analysis skills to make well-reasoned decisions.
The buyer must be able to relate to the company as a whole to be able to define in advance the timing and quantities of products to be met.
Appreciated qualities are resistance to stress and the ability to act on multiple levels to ensure tasks are carried out correctly.
Typically, buyers have a degree in business related to a technical background. Educational backgrounds such as master’s degrees in subjects related to warehouse management and logistics, and a knowledge of corporate contracting are also appreciated.
This professional can specialize in certain sectors (e.g., clothing, toys, electronics): in fact, Buyers can work in all areas of retail: large retail bookstores, fashion, hi-tech stores.
They certainly cannot lack a certain amount of resourcefulness that drives them to make motivated and perhaps innovative decisions to improve ecommerce performance!
+ There are no comments
Add yours