“My previous roles are not connected to the present one. A new set of eyes can take the business forward by in applying the learnings from other buying areas.”



“Staying put gives you the benefit of experience with issues that arise in the first year of tenure, and the experience gives foresight in future years, which enables more effective planning. The downside is that boredom and cynicism can set in and this can stifle growth.”



“Success and confidence within the wider team is more important than time as a measure of when to move on. I should move on when the confidence of the buyers in the team is such that they are driving the business forward, effectively making my position redundant.”



“After nine to 12 months, a buyer is better able to understand and influence the markets they are trading in. You need to make changes then see the effects of them before you truly understand how the markets work.”



“The fact that my current role is very much connected to my previous role (seven years in all) is positive: I am an expert in my category.”



“You get to know the market and the supply base, become more creative as you understand customers’ requirements better and can be more confident about buying decisions. The problems though are lack of challenge and becoming stale.”



“The main aim of any purchasing role is to please the customer both internally and externally. Hence more experience from different sectors enables you to develop an open mind. People in purchasing can easily get pigeon-holed - like an actor getting stereotyped. The skills and principles of the purchasing role can be used in any industry; employers should recognise experiences as opposed to experience.”



“If a retailer decides to focus on a particular category, it may require more experienced buyers with particular traits and this will cause movement.”