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Buyer Trainee Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Lennar

New Home Consultant Trainee

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$20 - $24.55/hr

New Home Consultant Trainee We are Lennar Lennar is one of the nation's leading homebuilders ... Engage and establish relationships with visitors to understand their home buying needs, utilizing ...

Lennar

New Home Consultant Trainee

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$20 - $24.55/hr

New Home Consultant Trainee We are Lennar Lennar is one of the nation's leading homebuilders ... Engage and establish relationships with visitors to understand their home buying needs, utilizing ...

Lennar

New Home Consultant Trainee

Rochester, MN · On-site

$20 - $24.55/hr

New Home Consultant Trainee We are Lennar Lennar is one of the nation's leading homebuilders ... Engage and establish relationships with visitors to understand their home buying needs, utilizing ...

Tractor Supply Company

Store Manager

Prior Lake, MN · On-site

Overall Job Summary The Manager Trainee is responsible for learning the duties of the Store Manager ... Learn how to work with the buyers, supply chain management, district managers, and distribution ...

Carmax

Retail Sales Manager

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$17.25 - $20.75/hr

Position Overview As a Sales Manager Trainee, you will embark on a structured training program ... used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the ...

Carmax

Retail Sales Manager

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$60K - $104K/yr

Position Overview As a Sales Manager Trainee, you will embark on a structured training program ... used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the ...

Carmax

Sales Associate

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$15.98 - $20/hr

Position Overview As a Sales Consultant Trainee, you will be the foundation of an iconic, customer ... About CarMax At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by ...

Carmax

Automotive Sales Consultant

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$15.98 - $20/hr

Position Overview As a Sales Consultant Trainee, you will be the foundation of an iconic, customer ... About CarMax At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by ...

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All JobsBuyer JobsBuyer Trainee JobsBuyer Trainee Jobs in Minnesota

Buyer Trainee information

See Minnesota salary details

$13

$20

$35

How much do buyer trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for buyer trainee in Minnesota is $20.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a buyer trainee?

Buyer Trainees are entry-level professionals who assist experienced buyers or purchasing managers in sourcing and acquiring goods and services for a company. They learn procurement processes, evaluate suppliers, negotiate prices, and help manage inventory under supervision. This role serves as a training ground for individuals interested in a career in purchasing, supply chain, or procurement, providing hands-on experience with vendor relations and contract management. Buyer Trainees often advance to more senior purchasing roles after gaining experience and demonstrating their skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a buyer trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Buyer Trainee, you need a foundational understanding of supply chain management, strong analytical abilities, and usually a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with procurement software, inventory management systems, and Microsoft Excel is often required. Attention to detail, negotiation skills, and effective communication set top candidates apart. These skills ensure efficient purchasing processes, cost savings, and productive relationships with suppliers.

What are some common challenges faced by buyer trainees during their first year, and how can these be addressed?

Buyer Trainees often find it challenging to quickly learn the nuances of supplier negotiation, inventory management, and understanding the specific needs of their organization. Adapting to the fast-paced environment and balancing multiple tasks, such as purchase order tracking and vendor communication, can also be demanding. These challenges can be addressed through active mentorship, ongoing training, and proactively seeking feedback from senior buyers and cross-functional teams. Building strong organizational and communication skills early on can help Buyer Trainees navigate their responsibilities more effectively.

What is the difference between Buyer Trainee vs Buyer?

AspectBuyer TraineeBuyer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer associate degreeBachelor's degree often preferred; relevant certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused, often in retail or procurement departmentsFull responsibility for purchasing decisions, more autonomous, in various industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in retail, manufacturing, and logistics as an entry pointUsed across industries for ongoing procurement roles

The Buyer Trainee position is an entry-level role designed to develop skills in procurement, often with on-the-job training. A Buyer, on the other hand, is a more experienced professional responsible for making purchasing decisions. While both roles involve procurement, the Buyer Trainee is typically in a learning phase, whereas the Buyer has greater autonomy and experience.

How to get a job as a buyer trainee with no experience?

To become a buyer trainee with no experience, focus on developing basic skills in supply chain management, negotiation, and inventory control through online courses or certifications. Entry-level positions often value strong communication, organizational skills, and a willingness to learn, so gaining relevant knowledge and demonstrating enthusiasm can improve your chances.

Is being a buyer trainee a stressful job?

Buyer trainees often work in fast-paced environments where they must meet deadlines and manage supplier relationships, which can contribute to stress. However, the level of stress varies depending on the company's workload, industry, and individual skills in negotiation and organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Buyer jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Buyer jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Buyer Trainee jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Buyer Trainee job openings:

Buyer Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Buyer Trainee job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,085 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Sales & Client Experience Trainee

Mankato Motor Company

Mankato, MN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Build a Career, Not Just a Job

Mankato Motor Company is growing, and we're looking for people-people — not car people. If you've got a track record of hustle, integrity, and connecting with customers in retail, restaurants, hospitality, insurance, financial services, coaching, or the military, we want to talk to you.

No automotive sales background needed. We'll teach you the car business. What we can't teach is work ethic, coachability, and how to make someone feel taken care of — if you've already got that, you're exactly who we're looking for.

What you'll get:

  • A structured, paid training program covering product knowledge, our sales process, and the tools you'll use every day
  • A mentor from our current sales team for your first 90 days
  • Pay starts as hourly through training. Once advancement is achieved, pay is a guarantee with a performance pay based on volume and customer satisfaction. Not commission based. 
  • Real earning potential once ramped — our top consultants earn well above what people assume is possible in this industry
  • A clear path forward: top trainees move into full sales consultant roles, and from there into leadership as we grow across our Chevrolet, Nissan, and Volkswagen brands

What you'll do:

  • Learn our 14-step Road to the Sale and apply it with real customers, with support
  • Greet and guide customers through the buying experience — no cold calling, no pressure tactics
  • Build product knowledge across our brand lineup
  • Learn our CRM and inventory tools so you're set up to succeed long after training ends

What we're looking for:

  • A strong work ethic and a genuine interest in people
  • Prior experience in any customer-facing or goal-driven role (retail, hospitality, insurance, food service, military, coaching, etc.)
  • Reliability, coachability, and a willingness to learn a new industry
  • A valid driver's license and a clean driving record

Why Mankato Motor Company: We're a local, multi-brand dealership group that's been part of this community for years. We believe in doing right by our customers and investing in our people — that's not a tagline, it's how we train and how we promote from within.

Ready to build something real? Apply today and tell us about a time you turned a skeptical customer into a loyal one — in any job you've had.

Apply