The projected change in employment varies significantly by occupational specialty. Employment of purchasing managers is expected to grow more slowly than the average through 2012. The use of the Internet to conduct electronic commerce has made information easier to obtain, thus increasing the productivity of purchasing managers. The Internet also allows both large and small companies to bid on contracts. Exclusive supply contracts and long-term contracting have allowed companies to negotiate with fewer suppliers less frequently.

Employment of wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, also is projected to grow more slowly than the average. In the retail industry, mergers and acquisitions have forced buying departments to consolidate. In addition, larger retail stores are removing their buying departments from regional markets and centralizing them at their headquarters.

In contrast, employment of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012. Despite the greater use of electronic transactions, purchases of complex equipment are more difficult both to automate and to transact electronically. Employment of purchasing agents and buyers, farm products, also is projected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations, as the need to evaluate the quality and freshness of farm products limits the ease of making purchases electronically.

Persons who have a bachelor's degree in business should have the best chance of obtaining a buyer position in wholesale or retail trade or within government. A bachelor's degree, combined with industry experience and knowledge of a technical field, will be an advantage for those interested in working for a manufacturing or industrial company. Government agencies and larger companies usually require a master's degree in business or public administration for top-level purchasing positions.