wholesale merchant in machine tools
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by industrial technology and enjoy connecting businesses? As a wholesale merchant in machine tools, you'll play a vital role in supplying essential equipment to manufacturers, bridging the gap between suppliers and buyers in a dynamic industry.
As a wholesale merchant in machine tools, your focus is on facilitating the large-scale trade of machinery and related equipment. This role typically involves working as an employee within a company that specializes in wholesale distribution. You’ll spend your days researching market trends, identifying potential clients and suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring smooth transactions. Expect to be involved in all stages of the sales process, from initial contact to final delivery and after-sales support.
- • Identifying and qualifying potential wholesale buyers and suppliers.
- • Negotiating pricing and contract terms for large quantities of machine tools.
- • Managing relationships with existing clients and suppliers to ensure ongoing business.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Business and administration associate professionals — 200 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Romania.
Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could wholesale merchant in machine tools fit you?
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Do you enjoy tasks that require Adaptability/Flexibility?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for wholesale merchant in machine tools
The outlook for wholesale merchant in machine tools reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could wholesale merchant in machine tools change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could wholesale merchant in machine tools change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- initiate contact with sellers
- negotiate sales contracts
- negotiate sale of commodities
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- comprehend financial business terminology
- assess supplier risks
- monitor international market performance
Tasks most exposed to automation
- maintain financial records
- have computer literacy
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Marketing & Sales
A typical day as a wholesale merchant in machine tools
09 09:00 · Morning assess supplier risks
10 10:30 · Mid-morning identify customer's needs
12 12:00 · Midday initiate contact with buyers
14 14:00 · Afternoon initiate contact with sellers
15 15:30 · Late afternoon negotiate sale of commodities
17 17:00 · Wrap-up negotiate sales contracts
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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capital goods industry
The industry focused on the capital goods sector composed by machinery manufacturing companies that play a key role in producing and distributing capital goods such as electrical, defense or construction equipment.
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machine tools
The offered machine tools and products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
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product comprehension
The offered products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
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sales strategies
The principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.
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negotiate sales contracts
Come to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.
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negotiate sale of commodities
Discuss client's requirements for buying and selling commodities and negotiate their sale and purchase in order to obtain the most beneficial agreement.
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negotiate buying conditions
Negotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.
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identify suppliers
Determine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likelihood of obtaining beneficial contracts and agreements with them.
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identify new business opportunities
Pursue potential customers or products in order to generate additional sales and ensure growth.
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identify customer's needs
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
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initiate contact with buyers
Identify buyers of commodities and establish contact.
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monitor international market performance
Continuously monitor the international market performance by staying up-to-date with trade media and trends.
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initiate contact with sellers
Identify sellers of commodities and establish contact.
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comprehend financial business terminology
Grasp the meaning of basic financial concepts and terms used in businesses and financial institutions or organisations.
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assess supplier risks
Evaluate supplier performance in order to assess if suppliers follow the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and provide the desired quality.
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have computer literacy
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
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Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
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Where does wholesale merchant in machine tools fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
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86% similarityFrequently asked questions
- What kind of machine tools are typically involved in this role?
- The range can be quite broad! You might deal with metalworking machines (lathes, milling machines), woodworking equipment, plastic injection molding machines, or even specialized tools for industries like automotive or aerospace. The specific types will depend on the wholesaler’s specialization.
- Do I need a technical background to be a wholesale merchant in machine tools?
- While a strong technical understanding of machine tools is beneficial, it’s not always essential. Strong sales, negotiation, and communication skills are equally important. Many successful merchants develop their technical knowledge through on-the-job training and industry resources.
- What are the key personal qualities needed to succeed in this career?
- Success in this role requires a proactive and results-oriented approach. You’ll need excellent communication and negotiation skills, the ability to build and maintain relationships, and a strong understanding of business principles. The key work styles suggest a focus on detail, organization, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, while the work values highlight a desire for achievement, responsibility, and independence.
- Wholesale Merchant In Machine Tools — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 4 of the 7 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Romania. Belgium has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Wholesale Merchant In Machine Tools — what does it pay in the United States?
- $66,780 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $29,460 to $82,420. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.