Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Wholesale and foreign trade clerk (m/f)

Duration of traineeship

3 years
Training is provided in one of two specialisms:

• wholesale trade
• foreign trade

The venues for training delivery are the training company and the vocational school

Field of activity

Wholesale and foreign trade clerks purchase goods in over 100 fields and sell them on to retailers, craft businesses and industry. They arrange for cost-efficient warehousing and transportation. One main aim of their work is to ensure that the goods are delivered to the right place at the right time. They advise customers in detail on the nature of the goods and additionally offer financial, marketing and other business services. Wholesale and foreign trade clerks monitor the market and also pass on information to producers. They carry out the above activities independently. The occupation offers the possibility of setting oneself up in business.

Occupational skills

Wholesale and foreign trade clerks specializing in the wholesale trade

• apply their extensive knowledge of goods to all areas of their activity;
• assess sales prospects and observe the market behaviour of customers and competitors;
• research information sources on goods procurement;
• identify product sources and determine the demand for goods;
• request quotations, compare terms and conditions, and purchase goods;
• inspect incoming goods and check invoices and delivery documents;
• handle complaints;
• plan marketing measures;
• offer customer services;
• store goods and monitor inventory stocks;
• devise routing plans for goods delivery;
• carry out goods flow and inventory management measures;
• commission goods and prepare them for dispatch;
• calculate selling prices;
• plan and conduct counselling discussions and buying and selling negotiations;
• process sales orders and draw up invoices;
• handle cost accounting and payment transactions;
• assess and hedge risks in the transportation and financing fields;
• take account of foreign-language information material in goods procurement.

Wholesale and foreign trade clerks specializing in foreign trade

• assess sales prospects and observe the market behaviour of customers and competitors;
• research information sources on goods procurement;
• identify product sources and determine the demand for goods;
• request quotations, compare terms and conditions, and purchase goods;
• check invoices and delivery documents;
• handle complaints;
• plan marketing measures
• offer customer services;
• calculate selling prices;
• plan and conduct counslling discussions and buying and selling negotiations, including in a foreign language;
• process sales orders and draw up invoices;
• handle cost accounting and payment transactions;
• assess and hedge risks in the transportation and financing fields;
• carry out foreign exchange calculations, including forward exchange deals;
• apply the provisions of foreign trade and customs legislation;
• conclude international transport contracts;
• apply the terms of payment specific to foreign trade;
• process documentary transactions;
• apply international trade provisions;
• correspond and communicate with others, including in a foreign language
• draw up and use foreign-language documentation.
  

Last modified on: December 12, 2006