AccountancyISCO 3324

Wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores

A wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores is a person who looks for potential wholesale buyers and suppliers, matches them to one another on the basis of what each needs, and concludes the transactions, which involve large quantities of goods. The role is trading rather than producing or transporting.

Check yourself in a minute: wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores

Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

identify suppliers

monitor international market performance

initiate contact with sellers

identify customer's needs

negotiate sales contracts

About wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores

The merchant identifies new business opportunities, looking for potential customers or products that can generate additional sales.

Negotiation is where the margin is made. The merchant negotiates purchase conditions, negotiates the sale of goods, and negotiates the terms of the sales contracts, and in a wholesale trade those terms cover more than price: quantity tolerance, quality on arrival, timing, who carries the risk in transit and what happens if the material does not meet the specification.

Knowing the goods and the counterparty is what keeps a trade from going wrong. The merchant works from a knowledge of metal and metal ore products, assesses supplier risk, meaning the likelihood that a counterparty will not perform, and plans the transport operations that move the quantity agreed from one party to the other.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (19)

metal and metal ore productsmetal and metal ore productsThe offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.product comprehensionproduct comprehensionThe offered products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.sales strategiessales strategiesThe principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.identify suppliersidentify suppliersDetermine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likel...monitor international market performancemonitor international market performanceContinuously monitor the international market performance by staying up-to-date with trade media and trends.initiate contact with sellersinitiate contact with sellersIdentify sellers of commodities and establish contact.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.negotiate sales contractsnegotiate sales contractsCome to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.comprehend financial business terminologycomprehend financial business terminologyGrasp the meaning of basic financial concepts and terms used in businesses and financial institutions or organisations.assess supplier risksassess supplier risksEvaluate supplier performance in order to assess if suppliers follow the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and provide the desired quality.initiate contact with buyersinitiate contact with buyersIdentify buyers of commodities and establish contact.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.identify new business opportunitiesidentify new business opportunitiesPursue potential customers or products in order to generate additional sales and ensure growth.negotiate sale of commoditiesnegotiate sale of commoditiesDiscuss client's requirements for buying and selling commodities and negotiate their sale and purchase in order to obtain the most beneficial agreement.build business relationshipsbuild business relationshipsEstablish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the orga...plan transport operationsplan transport operationsPlan mobility and transport for different departments, in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates; compare different bids and ...maintain financial recordsmaintain financial recordsKeep track of and finalise all formal documents representing the financial transactions of a business or project.negotiate buying conditionsnegotiate buying conditionsNegotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores do?

Wholesale merchants in metals and metal ores investigate potential wholesale buyers and suppliers and match their needs. They conclude trades involving large quantities of goods.

What skills does a wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores need?

A wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores needs 19 essential skills, including metal and metal ore products, product comprehension, sales strategies, identify suppliers, monitor international market performance.

Will AI replace wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores jobs?

The AI disruption score for wholesale merchant in metals and metal ores is 33/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comprehend financial business terminology, monitor international market performance, initiate contact with sellers. Most resilient: build business relationships, negotiate buying conditions, metal and metal ore products.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupBusiness and administration associate professionals
Essential Skills19

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