The ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh is thriving. It provides a huge job market for both skilled and unskilled professionals. Some of these skilled jobs include high paying management level jobs. One such supplier of executive jobs in the industry is the local buying houses.
Buying houses are basically the medium between buyers and manufacturers in the garment industry. Due to complications in communication between manufacturers and retailers, local buying houses work as the middleman to smooth out the whole buying process. There are mainly two types of buying houses. The buying agencies or liaison offices are a direct front for the retailers. On the other hand, buying offices are some sort of hub for different buyers and fashion houses.
Buying houses mainly started to form around the '90s. There has been a large development in the number of buying houses in the last two decades. According to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA,) there are around 1,000 buying houses in the country.
Buying house jobs are sometimes termed as 'abstract merchandising.' A factory merchandiser can see the products he is dealing with, whereas a buying house representative only has to work with the information or abstract knowledge about the goods. However, responsibilities may vary. The entry level jobs require root level responsibilities, such as order placing, production processing, quality approval and finally order execution on behalf of the retailers. More higher up jobs require team management responsibilities, where a management level employee may need to handle multiple employees and higher level interactions.
Currently buying house jobs require a minimum graduate level learning experience and postgraduate backgrounds are preferred. "Best combination for buying house jobs is to have a textile engineering background on graduation level, with specialisations in dying, fabric manufacturing or garment specialisation and getting an MBA from a reputed university," said Abdul Matin, a merchandising manager at PVH (formerly Phillips-Van Heusen) corps's buying house. "Although," he added, "there are also people from diverse educational backgrounds, such as marketing, management, international relations, who work at the buying houses. Adding a textile diploma could be useful for non-sector applicants."
"Buying houses prefer to hire those with six months to one year experience on the job," shares Mohammad Samiur Rahman, who works as an assistant merchandiser for Lindex, a Swedish fashion chain's local liaison office. "Technical experiences matter the most. If you have a textile background it will certainly help you get a job easily." He also recommends internship at a buying house to gain experience before opting for a full time job.
Samiur divides the job expectants in two categories-- those with technical knowledge, such as people with a degree from textile background and those without the technical knowledge. "Those with technical knowledge will get priorities, whereas those without a technical background may need to have more experience in the field before getting more responsibilities," he explained.
Language proficiency in English is a must for buying house jobs. "You will need English everywhere as you will need to communicate with the head office. Knowing a third language will give you an edge," said Mr Matin. Sound technical knowledge in textile topics, marketing and management, will always help one stay competitive in this regard.
Buying house jobs are some of the high paying jobs in the industry. With starting salaries are in Tk 40-70 thousand range, it might go well beyond six figures on the highest level. On a higher level, the jobs come with extra benefits, such as bonus, insurance, welfare, provident fund, gratuity, etc. Also, working directly with a multinational company, adapting to their work ethics and principles is a huge experience.
Job circulars for buying houses are regularly posted on websites like Linkedin, bdjobs.com. Word of the mouth can be an important source. But the job market right now is not favourable towards new entrants, due to the worldwide economic crisis caused by the pandemic, opined Mr Saimur. But he is hopeful about the future- in a post-COVID world there would be more demand for qualified people.
"The job requires you to be sharp and it wants you to show eagerness," said Mr Matin. Both Matin and Saimur agreed that communication is the key for a buying house job. Being a good team player could also work big time. Overall, the job prospects for a buying house are definitely attractive. But it will require some rigorous experience and technical knowledge for someone to make a place in this job market.
The writer is a third year BSS student at the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. He can be reached at sheikhtausif897@gmail.com