Skills & Competencies for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

Assists merchandise buyers in selecting merchandise, placing orders, and distributing inventory.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

Responsible for inventory replenishment with open-to-buy responsibilities over a segment of the buyer's department.

Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$77,584
TOTAL 50%
$79,537
Job Level
P02
Job Code
SM15000255
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Supervisor

Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. skill and competencie below to view definitions.

9 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

1 Industry Competency – Retail Industry
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Applying comprehensive knowledge of retail principles, inventory management, pricing strategies, and consumer behavior to effectively manage and operate retail businesses.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists diverse activities and functions of retailing including buying, advertising, and data processing.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records and reports customer feedback to assist in optimizing retail offerings and improving service quality.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes advanced software and technology to automate and optimize retail operations.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees inventory control and supply chain processes to ensure optimal stock levels and minimize costs.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads omnichannel optimization initiatives to ensure a seamless and integrated customer journey.
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2 Industry Competency – Merchandising
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Strategically planning, executing, and managing product merchandising, pricing, and promotions to increase customer engagement and maximize revenue.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains how effective merchandising can increase sales, generate revenue, and improve brand awareness.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Helps in arranging merchandise displays adhering to a planogram and precise brand guidelines.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes analytics and sales data to optimize and improve online and offline merchandising performance.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors and controls inventory levels to estimate purchase reorders of merchandise accurately.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes and implements SOPs to optimize organizational merchandising operations.
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3 Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 5

4 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

1 Job Family Competencies – Cost Control
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the application of financial principles for effective cost control.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports financial report analysis and cost control related to company operations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Partners with the management to identify corrective actions to improve cost control risks.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors the alignment of operational costs with relevant budgetary and cost controls of the organization.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Improves the management's cost control to optimize business decision-making processes.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Reverse Logistics
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Developing techniques and processes to manage the distribution and determine the appropriate course of action for returned products.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites the different aspects of reverse logistics such as returns management, remanufacturing, and delivery failure.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents the reverse logistics delivery process to track the progress of returned products.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Assesses returned products to determine the maximum value recovery of the returned items.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Collaborates with vendors to streamline the reverse logistical process including, resource sharing and value recovery.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates strategies for optimizing reverse logistic networks to streamline the distribution of returned products.
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3 Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 5

9 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

1 Core Competencies – Scheduling
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Ability to plan and organize activities, tasks, and resources to achieve business goals and objectives within timeframe and budget.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites examples of effective scheduling skills, including data entry, customer service, and appointment setting.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents different kinds of communications related to work schedules, such as memos, emails, and reports.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Administers phone calls and emails to respond to customers' inquiries regarding upcoming or scheduled appointments.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Collaborates with workforce management professionals to integrate scheduling optimization tools.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Authorizes the planning schedules of companies and organizations that operate in various industries.
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2 Core Competencies – Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Knowledge of and ability to apply a set of quantifiable measurements to determine how effectively an individual, team or organization is achieving a business objective.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites examples of KPIs applied at individual, team, and organizational levels.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in KPI analysis and patterns discovery to support management in decision making.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Collaborates with related stakeholders to decide cross-functional KPIs.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Analyses the pros and cons of specific KPI metrics to ascertain the best course of action.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds and updates innovative KPI management tools to optimize KPI selection and implementation processes.
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3 Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. skills and competencies

There are 9 hard skills for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr., Retail Industry, Merchandising, Merchandise Quality and Compliance, etc.
4 general skills for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr., Cost Control, Reverse Logistics, Inventory Control, etc.
9 soft skills for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr., Scheduling, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Financial Acumen, etc.
While the list totals 22 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr., he or she needs to be proficient in Scheduling, be proficient in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and be proficient in Financial Acumen.

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