Profession timber trader

Timber traders assess the quality, quantity and market value of timber and timber products for trade. They organise the selling process of new timber and purchase stocks of timber.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Conventional / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Timber products

  Key features, advantages and limitations of the different timbers and timber based products sold at a company and where to access this information.

Skills

• Manage timber stocks

  Inspect the stock to find out how much is left. Identify any damaged, faulty, or out of date items and move them to the appropriate location. Follow stock rotation methods to ensure stock is used effectively. Handle goods using safe and approved handling methods.

• Carry out purchasing operations in the timber business

  Carry out purchasing operations within the scope of personal responsibility and with due regard to production efficiency and business objectives.

• Advise on timber-based products

  Use appropriate questioning techniques to get information from customers, advising the customers on the suitable uses for the different products in the organisation. Advise customers on the types of adhesives to use. Explain the limitations of products to customers.

• Negotiate price

  Arrange an agreement on price of products or services provided or offered.

• Manage budgets

  Plan, monitor and report on the budget.

• Inspect timber

  Inspect timber sale sites and reforestation activities for compliance with permits and regulations.

• Write technical reports related to trees

  Compose written adequate reports about tree-realted issues for parties such as engineers, solicitors, or mortgage and insurance companies, for example if tree roots are causing problems to the integrity of buildings and infrastructure.

• Handle timber

  Identify the main types of timber to be received at your company. Stack and store timber safely and in compliance with company procedures.

• Study prices of wood products

  Be aware of current market studies and forecasts concerning supply, demand, trade and prices of wood and related products.

• Process returned timber products

  Confirm the type, quantity, and condition of the goods being returned. Ask the client for the reason why the goods are being returned. Provide all relevant details and update the stock control system. Inspect returned goods to confirm the reason for returning the goods. Take the goods to the correct location, and ensure they are kept separately from normal stock.

• Inspect trees

  Carry out tree inspections and surveys.

• Check quality of raw materials

  Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.

• Manage timber orders

  Ensure that goods are in stock and accessible so that they can be dispatched. Identify any special loading or transportation requirements relating to the assembly of orders. Check and confirm any requirements to maintain the condition of the goods while the order is being assembled. Assemble the orders with the correct type and quantity of goods. Label orders following organisational procedures.

• Handle timber-based products

  Identify the main types of timber based products to be received at your company. Stack and store timber based products safely and in compliance with company procedures.

• Sell processed timber in a commercial environment

  Check that the sales area is in a suitable condition for customers and that the stock and materials are in a suitable condition to be sold.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB