Skills & Competencies for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr.

Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. job profile

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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.
INDUSTRY COMPETENCIES JOB FAMILY COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES
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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)
Defines the importance of effective merchandising strategies in boosting retail sales and profit margins.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists customers with product inquiries by providing information about features, pricing, and availability.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Addresses intricate complaints and concerns effectively to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Contributes to the development of retail pricing strategies to maximize profitability and competitiveness.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of predictive analytics to optimize pricing, inventory management, and marketing strategies.
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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)
Cites examples of common merchandising techniques for ensuring consistent brand presentation.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Aids in compiling market research to identify trends and ensure the effectiveness of merchandising strategies.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes customers' feedback to improve product assortment and pricing plans.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Coordinates with vendors and buyers to ensure timely delivery and optimal placement of merchandise.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds relationships with strategic partners to secure access to superior merchandise offerings, data, and terms.
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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)
Cites processes, procedures, principles, and practices of cost control.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in maintaining cost control by monitoring department expenditures.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements cost control initiatives to influence the organization's bottom line in each region positively.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates cost control measures to facilitate the financial well-being of the department.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds cost control processes to ensure plans and business goals are in alignment.
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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)
Contrasts KPI with other performance management tools, such as Balanced Score Card (BSC) and Objectives and Key Results (OKR).
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows up on regular action items related to KPI implementation.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Consolidates internal and external information to define and select applicable KPI.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Designs and develops KPI metrics and dashboards for various functions and purposes.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Conducts lectures on KPI best practices at industry conferences.
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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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