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Buyer Interview Questions

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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9 min read

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Buyer interview questions and answers.

  1. Can you describe your work experience as a buyer? See answer
  2. What skills would you bring to this job? See answer
  3. What current degrees or certifications do you have as a buyer? See answer
  4. What is your greatest achievement in your career? See answer
  5. Do you have experience developing an accurate monitoring system for purchase orders? See answer
  6. How do you prioritize your work as a buyer? See answer
  7. What steps do you follow when buying a product? See answer
  8. What is your greatest strength as a buyer? See answer
  9. What do you think is the most challenging aspect of working as a buyer? See answer
  10. How do you negotiate contract terms with a seller? See answer
  11. How would you grade your communication skills? See answer
  12. How well do you work with other professionals? See answer
  13. Can you describe a situation when you performed more than your usual buyer responsibilities? See answer
  14. What attracted you to this buyer position? See answer
  15. What do you think is more important between a product’s price and quality?
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Hire your next Buyer today.

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Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
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15 Buyer Interview Questions and Answers

Can you describe your work experience as a buyer?

This question helps you learn more about a candidate's background as a buyer. Pay attention to how they summarize their work history and relate it to the position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant work experience as a buyer
  • Enthusiasm for the position
  • Desire to apply their work experience as a buyer

Example:

"I started my career as a buyer seven years ago. While interning at FoodHu, a retail grocery company in my province, I developed my negotiation and analytical skills. I also helped the company obtain competitive prices for its secondary products. Two years later, Radri Manufacturing Inc. hired me to ensure an adequate supply of manufacturing products. As your buyer, I'd use my negotiation skills to purchase mechanical parts at reasonable prices."

What skills would you bring to this job?

This question tells you whether a candidate understands what skills are important for the buyer position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of a buyer's role
  • Analytical, decision-making and negotiation skills
  • Attitude to work and desire to apply skills

Example:

"I'm good at researching and negotiating with suppliers and vendors. My well-developed interpersonal skills help me relate to people inside and outside an organization. I'm also skilled at evaluating products and assessing supplier options before making informed buying decisions. I'd love to join your company and use my skills to help you get the quality products you need for your operations."

What current degrees or certifications do you have as a buyer?

By asking this question, you can identify competitive buyers who keep up with your industry's trends. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant certifications in procurement , supply chain or related fields
  • Strategies to stay current with industry trends and requirements
  • Attitude to learning

Example:

"I have a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Alberta. Last year, I earned a certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC). I also obtained a Supply Chain Management Professional designation three years ago. I believe my degree and certifications uniquely qualifies me for this buyer position, and I'd love to work here with other procurement agents."

What do you think is more important between a product's price and quality?

When purchasing products, buyers often need to find the balance between a product's price and quality. This question tests a candidate's basic buying knowledge. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Understanding of the importance of buying quality and cost-effective products
  • Decision-making skills

Example:

"I think a product's price and quality are equally important. When I worked at a souvenir shop, I focused on the price of souvenirs more than the quality. However, my manager at a five-star hotel requested I concentrated my buying strategy on getting quality ingredients for meals. As your buyer, I'd focus on getting quality machine parts, considering the risk of a failed component to your company's reputation."

What is your greatest achievement in your career?

The question aims to find out more about a buyer's background and career success. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant experience as a buyer or related fields
  • Attitude to work
  • Activities carried out and results obtained

Example:

"At my last position, I noticed the existing procedure for buying groceries took too long. 23% of the groceries we received were bad, and I felt we could improve the company's procurement process. I met with the supply chain manager and procurement officer to discuss my idea, and they accepted it. When it was implemented, my strategy reduced the number of bad groceries by 20%."

Do you have experience developing an accurate monitoring system for purchase orders?

Developing monitoring systems is an important duty of a buyer. This question tells you about a candidate's work experience. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the importance of efficient monitoring systems
  • Experience developing monitoring systems
  • Enthusiasm for the role and drive to put their best effort

Example:

"At all my previous buyer positions, I developed accurate and efficient monitoring systems by collaborating with the technical team. I understand that monitoring products ensures they arrive on time and in good condition. I'd be happy to develop these systems at your organization if you didn't have them."

How do you prioritize your work as a buyer?

A buyer's role involves several activities inside and outside an organization. The goal of this question is to understand how a candidate completes multiple tasks. What to look for in an answer:

  • Practical time management and organizational skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Understanding of when to multitask

Example:

"I'm highly organized. I like to plan my day before it begins and write out tasks I need to complete. Then, I reorder these tasks based on their due dates and my organization's business needs. I believe working in fast-paced environments helps buyers grow, and my excellent work ethic enables me to stay focused."

What steps do you follow when buying a product?

Buyers need to identify and purchase quality products a company needs to sell or use. By asking this question, you can evaluate a candidate's buying expertise. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of how to identify and purchase quality products
  • Good decision-making skills
  • Experience buying products

Example:

"I start by confirming the budget, so I can work within it. Then, I research suppliers and their available products. I evaluate products with the best quality and negotiate competitive pricing for them. Finally, I authorize payments. I like to communicate all important decisions I make with my managers and ensure I meet all buying targets."

What is your greatest strength as a buyer?

By asking this question, you can determine whether a buyer understands a buyer's role and their greatest strength aligns with it. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant skills, such as communication and analytical skills
  • Example to show how they used their greatest strength
  • Desire to apply their greatest strength

Example:

"My ability to make strategic decisions is my greatest strength. I've always known how to analyze situations critically and use my best judgement in my personal and professional life. At my last job, I always compared different supplier prices to ensure the company was getting the best rate. I also made sure I anticipated financial outcomes of my buying strategies and selected the most effective products."

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of working as a buyer?

The question reveals what a buyer considers a challenge and their understanding of the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience as a buyer
  • Strategies to overcome challenges
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

Example:

"In my experience, having to work with unreliable suppliers is the most challenging aspect of being a buyer. That's why I always research suppliers extensively before I start negotiating contract terms. I also consider product delay when determining when to reorder products for a company. Doing this helps me remain within the budget and reach my buying goals."

How do you negotiate contract terms with a seller?

An excellent buyer must know how to successfully negotiate contract terms with suppliers. Pay attention to the method a candidate uses and their negotiation skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Focus on obtaining competitive prices
  • Understanding of when to quit and how to stay within a budget
  • Politeness and professionalism

Example:

"I start by finding out the company's priorities and budget. Then I begin negotiating from my valuation of the product. I consider how long it'd take the supplier to deliver the product and any other challenge they may encounter. I also try to understand their perspective and discuss clauses. My experience has taught me to take notes, spend time negotiating and be respectful. If a supplier couldn't meet the company's wants and needs, I'd quit and explore other options. I'm confident in my negotiating skills, and as your buyer, you wouldn't need to hire a mediator."

How would you grade your communication skills?

The goal of this question is to evaluate how well a candidate communicates with others. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding the importance of communicating effectively
  • Ability to communicate in different situations
  • Example to support their grade

Example:

"I'd grade myself eight out of 10. I've always been good at expressing myself clearly to others, which helps me connect with various suppliers. My ability to communicate effectively also helps me write detailed reports of closed purchase orders. I know how to adapt my communication style, depending on the person I'm discussing with, and this sets me apart from other buyers."

How well do you work with other professionals?

Buyers often work with supply chain managers, inventory managers, and other professionals. The goal of this question is to determine whether a candidate is a team player. What to look for in an answer:

  • Teamwork skills
  • Suitability to your organization's culture
  • Experience working with others

Example:

"I enjoy working as part of a team and understand that buying products requires the collective effort of various professionals. In my previous role, I assisted the supply chain manager with maintaining inventory levels. I also worked with inventory managers to ensure deliveries were fulfilled on time. Working in teams helps me learn quickly, and I'd love to work in your organization's positive teamwork environment."

Can you describe a situation when you performed more than your usual buyer responsibilities?

This question tells you how committed a buyer is to their job. It reveals what steps they would take to ensure your company has quality products when required. What to look for in an answer:

  • Dedication and determination
  • Enthusiasm for the role
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

Example:

"At my last job, a seller had an issue with their warehouse. It affected their delivery timeline, which led to downtime for my previous employer. I quickly connected them to another facility they could use temporarily for warehousing activities. Doing this helped the seller resume product delivery to our store promptly."

What attracted you to this buyer position?

By asking this question, you can determine why a buyer wants to work in your organization. What to look for in an answer:

  • Career goals that align with your organization's objectives
  • Understanding of the buyer position
  • Enthusiasm for the role

Example:

"While I enjoy working with my current employer, I believe I'm ready to take on more challenges as a buyer. Your organization provides opportunities to advance my career in procurement, and I'd love to ensure an adequate supply of groceries in your store. My skill set uniquely prepares me for this buyer position, and I look forward to applying it here."

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Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
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