---
name: costume-buyer
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'costume buyer' (also: costume purchaser, costumes buyer, buyer of costumes, costume and composite effects buyer). Use when the user asks for typical costume buyer work such as: Approve and pay bills.; Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.; Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary."
---

# Costume Buyer

Costume buyers work with the costume designer in order to identify the materials for the costumes. They buy and rent fabric, thread, accessories and other items needed to finish the wardrobe. Costume buyers may also purchase ready-made clothing items They base their purchases on the sketches of the costume designer.

## Core workflow

1. Approve and pay bills.
2. Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.
3. Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
4. Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
5. Perform buying duties when necessary.
6. Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
7. Review requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
8. Prepare, maintain, and review purchasing files, reports and price lists.

## How to use this skill

- Read `references/profile.md` for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult `references/tasks.md` for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check `references/skills.md` for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check `references/tools.md` for the software commonly used in this role.

## Key competences (essential)

- aesthetics
- analyse costume sketches
- communicate price changes
- identify suppliers
- maintain relationship with suppliers
- manage budgets
- mark differences in colours
- place orders for clothing merchandise
- place orders for textile materials

## Hot technologies

- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Oracle Database
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft PowerPoint

---
*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/cc844eb8-c81d-40ff-af3d-119700e60f23), O*NET 30.3 (43-3061.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*
