Career change as a buyer
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 6 with on-the-job training and 2 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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Category manager
Also: Product group manager
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As a category manager in retail you are responsible for an entire product group, from range planning and purchasing to pricing, promotions and placement in the store or online shop.
- What you bring:
- From day-to-day purchasing you know suppliers, prices, product ranges and the key figures of your product groups.
- How to get there:
- This is usually an internal promotion in retail companies after a few years in purchasing, often starting as a junior category manager with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in range management and data analysis. Solid skills in spreadsheets and merchandise management systems are expected. A further training course for certified senior specialist for purchasing (Fachwirt für Einkauf) or for marketing (Fachwirt für Marketing) strengthens your application.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€7,515gross per monthMedian salary
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Field sales representative
Also: Key account manager
With on-the-job training
In sales you look after business customers, prepare quotes, negotiate terms and win new customers in your territory.
- What you bring:
- You know negotiations from the customer's side, you know what convinces purchasers, and you understand products, prices and delivery terms.
- How to get there:
- You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a manufacturer or wholesaler, often starting in inside sales. With product training, this usually takes a few weeks to a few months. In field sales you are expected to have a driving license and be willing to travel. Industry knowledge from your previous purchasing work is a strong selling point, and sales targets are usually part of the job.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€4,456gross per monthMedian salary
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Customs declarant
Also: Import and export clerk
With on-the-job training
In customs clearance or the export department you prepare customs declarations, check commodity codes, origin and tariff preferences, and coordinate with freight forwarders and customs authorities.
- What you bring:
- You work with delivery terms, shipping documents and international suppliers, and you know the process from order to delivery.
- How to get there:
- You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at freight forwarders, customs service providers or in a foreign trade department. On top of that come customs courses at chambers or training providers, usually a few days to a few weeks per module. English is often expected. Alongside your job, you can also take the further training course for certified senior specialist for foreign trade (Fachwirt für Außenwirtschaft).*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€3,917gross per monthMedian salary
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Private label product manager
Also: Product manager
With on-the-job training
As a product manager you develop private labels or new items together with suppliers, define specifications, packaging and prices, and plan the market launch with sales and marketing.
- What you bring:
- You know manufacturers, quality grades, cost calculation and market prices, and you know which products sell.
- How to get there:
- The switch usually happens in retail or at brand manufacturers, often from purchasing in the same product group, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in product development and quality requirements. Some jobs require a university degree. You can earn a recognized qualification alongside your job with the further training course for certified senior specialist for marketing (Fachwirt für Marketing). To be admitted, you need three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) and one year of marketing-related work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€5,385gross per monthMedian salary
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Commodity or agricultural trader
Also: Commodity broker
With on-the-job training
As a trader you buy and sell goods such as agricultural products, metals or timber on the company's own account, or you arrange deals between producers and buyers.
- What you bring:
- You know the markets, price swings, quality grades and supply contracts for the goods you buy.
- How to get there:
- You can start at trading houses, cooperatives or wholesalers, where you get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) alongside experienced traders, usually for several months. Your knowledge of the goods from your purchasing work is the most important requirement. Good English is often expected, and for goods traded on exchanges you also get training in price hedging.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Physically lightLots of contact with people -
Accounts payable accountant
Also: Financial accountant
With on-the-job training
In accounting you post incoming invoices, monitor payments and discount deadlines for early payment, reconcile accounts and help with year-end closing.
- What you bring:
- You work with orders, delivery notes, invoices and payment terms, and you know how invoices are checked from your time in purchasing.
- How to get there:
- Take a financial accounting course at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or a training provider. It usually takes a few months and can be done alongside a job. You also get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the accounting software. The switch often works within your own company. With three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung), you can later be admitted directly to the further training course for certified balance sheet accountant (Bilanzbuchhalter), which makes sense after a few years of accounting experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€4,010gross per monthMedian salary
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Head of purchasing
Also: Supply chain manager
With further trainingPromotion
As head of purchasing you lead the purchasing team, set the procurement strategy, take responsibility for large contracts and supplier management, and report to management.
- What you bring:
- You know supplier markets, negotiations and contracts, and you know how purchasing, the warehouse and production work together.
- How to get there:
- Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified senior specialist for purchasing (Fachwirt für Einkauf) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes one to two years and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) you are admitted directly, and without a vocational qualification you are admitted after five years of work experience in purchasing. After that, a few years as a strategic buyer or team leader usually follow. In large corporations, heads of purchasing are sometimes expected to have a university degree, while medium-sized companies value experience more.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€7,515gross per monthMedian salary
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Purchasing controller
Also: Controller
With further training
In controlling you plan and monitor budgets, analyze purchasing volumes, price trends and supplier key figures, and prepare reports for management.
- What you bring:
- You know prices, cost structures, framework agreements and savings targets, and you are comfortable working with figures and reports.
- How to get there:
- An internal move from purchasing into purchasing controlling or cost controlling is possible, starting with reporting and analyses. Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified controller (Geprüfter Controller) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). To be admitted, you need three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) and three years of work experience related to controlling tasks. Some controller jobs, however, require a university degree.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,576gross per monthMedian salary
Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a buyer without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Category manager, Field sales representative, Customs declarant, Private label product manager, Commodity or agricultural trader and Accounts payable accountant.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a buyer?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Head of purchasing and Purchasing controller.
What promotion options do I have as a buyer?
Promotions include, for example: Head of purchasing and Category manager.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Head of purchasing (€7,515 gross per month), Category manager (€7,515 gross per month) and Purchasing controller (€5,576 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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