Raw materials are materials that are used in the production of goods; for example, a company that produces furniture might use different kinds of wood as its raw materials. To become a raw materials supplier, you first need to consider the kinds of materials you would like to provide. The path you take depends on whether you have direct access to these materials yourself or if you would like to work for a larger supplier company. Regardless of which path you take to become a raw materials supplier, it is important that you are familiar with related markets and get some background in finance, business communication, and contract negotiation.
Nearly all industries have need for raw materials, which come from a variety of different sources. In most cases, people who work as raw materials suppliers are members of larger organizations that specialize in producing materials and distributing them to manufacturing companies. It also is common to find smaller raw material suppliers, such as family farms, though many larger manufacturing companies find it more cost effective to purchase materials from larger suppliers, which tend to sell materials in bulk for lower prices.
To become a raw materials supplier, your first step should be to consider which kinds of materials you would like to supply and how you best can reach your goals. If you are in a position where you have direct access to materials that belong to you, it might be a good idea to discover smaller manufacturers, craftspeople, or artists who might be interested in purchasing your raw materials. Individuals who have access to large amounts of raw materials, on the other hand, might want to sell their properties to larger organizations or to go into business for themselves.
Regardless of which route you take to become a raw materials supplier, you need to be familiar with costs and companies to which you can sell your materials. If you would like to supply a particular kind of wood, for example, you'll need to learn how much this wood typically goes for on the market and which companies tend to pay the most for wood. You might also want to learn where you can sell your wood. If this kind of wood is common in your immediate region, you should find purchasers in different parts of the world.
A person who wants to become a raw materials supplier also should get a basic business background. If you are not used to composing business letters and emails, for example, it is important that you get some general business communication training. Taking courses in fields such as finance or accounting also can help you to keep accurate financial records and to make correct calculations.
