Trade guide

International Buyer

Are you passionate about commerce, sales and everything that goes with it, and would you like to pursue an international career? Are you aiming for a key position within the company you work for? Then find out how to become an international buyer.

In a nutshell:
Becoming an international buyer:

Ideally, you will need to attend a business and/or management school.
Requires technical skills and an excellent command of English and/or other foreign languages.
You are required to develop personal qualities including good interpersonal skills and excellent negotiating skills.
Guaranteed attractive and progressive remuneration.

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Présentation
Missions
Compétences
Salaire
Formations

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The business

How do I become an international buyer?

Its role

To become an international buyer, you need to prepare well in advance by developing the necessary qualities and choosing the right course of study. First of all, this is a profession that can be practised in the fields of commerce, marketing, management, law or logistics. The course you choose should therefore relate to one of these areas.

Its field of action

Secondly, becoming an international buyer requires you to have at least a good command of English. This is a skill you can try to acquire from secondary school and develop throughout your higher education. Finally, you need to specialise in the sector you prefer to work in.

The functions

What does an international buyer do?

As aninternational buyer, you have many responsibilities and tasks. Among the most important are the following:

correspond with foreign suppliers ;

canvassing and looking for suppliers;

Negotiate prices and ensure that the products offered meet the company’s requirements;

check and test the products on offer where necessary.

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Qualifications

What qualities are needed to become an international buyer?

To become an international buyer and excel in this profession, you absolutely must acquire certain qualities, including the following:

excellent interpersonal skills and good communication skills;

be able to negotiate when necessary;

analytical skills to find the suppliers offering the best value for money;

be honest and honest in the performance of your duties;

rigour and precision;

be organised in the management of your assignments.

Remuneration

What does an international buyer earn?

In general, your salary as aninternational buyer is sufficient to allow you to live comfortably. However, depending on your skills and seniority, it may vary. It may also depend on the size of the company you work for. For example, when you start out, you may receive a net monthly salary of around €2,500. With more experience, or depending on the company you join, you can earn up to 5,000 euros a month, or even more. Often, you can also earn commission if your work is well done.

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Up to

5 000€

Monthly salary

Training courses

What training do you need to become an international buyer?

Our training courses

To become an international buyer, you’ll need to choose a course of study related to business, marketing or management. The best way to do this is to go to a business and/or management school. JoinInseec for training specialising in international business. The diploma required for this type of job is now a BAC+5.

Visit the Inseec website to study the list of programmes and specialisations on offer. For example, you could decide to do a bachelor’s degree in business development straight after your A-levels. You can then continue with an MSc in Purchasing and Supply Chain in French/English or a Grande Ecole programme with a major in Purchasing.

What skills have you developed through this programme?

Understanding the specifics of the B2B environment
Master the B2B marketing approach and tools
Understanding network organisations
Developing purchasing skills
Understanding pricing systems
Learn to analyse customers, competitors and market conditions.

If you would like more details, particularly on work-linked training or other career opportunities in the international sector, you can consult the FAQ section.