A purchaser is a consumer buy a product for his/her personal use. A buyer is a trader (mostly) who purchases a product for trading. The difference between the two lies in who will benefit from the purchasing … Individuals who shop for products for the purpose of reselling them, such as retail clothing outlets and stores are generally referred to as buyers. Purchasers shop for products which are to be used by the company or organization employing them.
Day in the Life of a Procurement Specialist aka Buyer
What is a purchaser?
A purchaser also makes purchases on behalf of their organization, however, the purchases these professionals conduct typically include supplies and materials necessary for business operations. Purchasers, or purchasing agents, evaluate, select and buy products that their companies use for daily processes rather than for resale to consumers.
For instance, a purchaser for a large manufacturing firm may often be in charge of the selection and purchase of manufacturing equipment or parts, office supplies and shipping materials. These items are necessary for the company to operate efficiently but arent goods the company resells to consumers. This means that purchasers often work in a business-to-business capacity, where they buy products from other businesses to support their companies growth and development. Purchasing agents may often perform many of the following job duties:
What is a buyer?
In short, a buyer is someone who purchases something, either through wholesale or retail purchases. In business, a buyer is the professional responsible for selecting and buying products for their organization to resell to consumers. Buyers also select and place purchases for items or supplies necessary for businesses to develop and sell goods to consumers. A buyer typically works in a business-to-consumer capacity, where the purchases they make on behalf of their companies are necessary for achieving customer sales and generating revenue. Several common job duties that buyers are responsible for include:
Key differences between a buyer versus purchaser
Consider some of the differences between a buyer and a purchaser to help you choose the best career path for you:
Essential job role
The biggest difference between a buyer and a purchaser is usually the job role each professional fulfills. Buyers mainly specialize in the procurement of goods for their companies to sell to consumers, whereas purchasing agents usually find and purchase materials and supplies their companies need in order to produce goods and services.
A buyer analyzes consumer markets to determine what products their organizations should sell and finds goods their companies can resell. These professionals consider the wholesale costs, retail value and potential revenue of the products they purchase. Conversely, a purchaser may be responsible for a broad range of job functions that support their companies manufacturing processes. They source low-cost raw materials, resources, supplies and equipment that their organizations need to operate and to produce goods and services.
Industry
Many buyers work in the retail industry, where they evaluate and select specific items for their companies to resell to consumers. Products like electronics, clothing, home accessories and other retail items are typically the goods buyers look for to purchase for their organizations.
Purchasing agents may also work in the retail industry, however, these professionals can also find employment in other job sectors like medical and health care, education and construction and manufacturing. For instance, a purchasing agent for a large medical facility may be in charge of selecting and purchasing medical and health care supplies as the facility runs low on necessary resources.
Salary
Education
Typically, purchasing agents hold a bachelors degree in finance, business management, supply chain management or another related field. Many employers also require purchasers to have at least an undergraduate degree, which can differ from the education requirements for buyers.
A buyer, however, can usually enter the field in an entry-level role without a four-year degree, such as an assistant buyer, and work their way into the role of a buyer or senior buyer. While some employers may require buyers to hold undergraduate degrees, most employ buyers in entry-level roles and offer advancement opportunities.
Work experience
Many purchasers start their careers in the role after earning a four-year degree. Buyers, conversely, can build work experience through an entry-level role as an assistant buyer or earn an undergraduate degree and enter the role right away. Typically, though, a buyer builds their work experience as an assistant buyer and advances their way into their career as a buyer. However, both professions can offer plenty of career advancement opportunities.
Qualifications
Many purchasers earn professional certifications that qualify them for advanced and senior-level roles. The American Purchasing Society offers several certification options for purchasers, including the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), the Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP), the Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM), the Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant (CPPC) and the Certified Professional in Distribution and Warehousing (CPDW) credentials. Some employers may require purchasing agents to have credentials in one of these areas, depending on the industry and job role of the purchaser.
Buyers may not always hold a professional certification, especially if they enter their careers without a four-year degree. However, for buyers who earn their undergraduate degrees, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) provides the Certified Purchasing and Supply Manager (CPSM) credential for buyers who have at least three years of experience in their industry and a four-year degree.
Tips for choosing your career
Consider the following tips for choosing your career as a buyer or purchasing agent:
Jobs for buyers and purchasers
If youre interested in a career where you can help organizations source their materials, there are many jobs for you to consider. Here are some jobs similar to buyers and purchasers:
FAQ
What is the difference between a buyer and procurement?
What is buyer in procurement?
What is the difference between buyer and associate buyer?
What is the difference between buyer and procurement specialist?
