Career Explorer > Career Details
| Produce Buyer |
$49,980 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) |
| Career Cluster: Marketing, Sales & Service | |
| General
Information: Produce buyers locate, purchase and ship produce to wholesalers and retailers based on their requests. |
|
| Career
Information: Produce Buyers network daily with growers and shippers of fresh produce. They are specialized in growing zones; they source and market perishable commodities directly from the grower and, in turn, sell and distribute to wholesale, retail and food service customers. This involves buying, selling and problem solving. Produce buyers are knowledgeable in plant production, processing, merchandising, research, or extension. A strong scientific background involving agronomic or horticultural food crops, as well as forage, floral and landscape plants, is beneficial. |
|
| Educational
Requirements: 2 year degree |
|
| Suggested High School/Collegiate
Courses: Agriculture, biology, animal science, math, business and computers. Degree in Agriculture |
|
| Skills
Necessary: Mathematical , Adapts to Change , Work independently , Decision Making , Computer Skills , Written Communications , Self-Motivated , Works under pressure , Basic Business Principles , Negotiating , Quick Thinking , Orderly Minded , Good Judgment , Confidence |
|
| Job
Availability: Steady Growth |
|
| Location
of jobs: California, Florida, Michigan, Washington and other southern states. |
|
| Working
Conditions: Much work is done in an office with a computer. A great deal of time is also spent on the phone. Some travel to producers and food-processing plants maybe required. |
|
| FFA
Programs that Promote this Career: Agriscience , CDE: Ag Issues , CDE: Ag Sales , CDE: Farm Business Management , CDE: Marketing Plan , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Exploratory , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Ownership/Entrepreneurship , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Placement , American Degree , Stars Over America , Proficiencies |
|
| Related
Occupations: Agriculture Business , Agriculture General , Trader/Broker |
|
| FFA Sponsors/Employers in this Industry: In The Fied Magazine , JBH Show Lambs |
|
| Current
FFA Sponsor/Employer Opportunities Available: |
|