Skills & Competencies for Merchandise Buyer Assistant

Merchandise Buyer Assistant job profile

Book a Demo and Receive a Sample Job Profile

JOB SUMMARY for Merchandise Buyer Assistant

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

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Merchandise Buyer Assistant

May be responsible for some inventory replenishment but without open-to-buy responsibilities.

Merchandise Buyer Assistant SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$59,680
TOTAL 50%
$60,005
Job Level
P01
Job Code
SM15000254
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Supervisor

Merchandise Buyer Assistant 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 skill and competencie below to view definitions.
INDUSTRY COMPETENCIES JOB FAMILY COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES
BOOK A DEMO

7 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Merchandise Buyer Assistant

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)
Explains how omnichannel retail provides consistent and convenient shopping experience for customers.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers and compiles data about key competitors for a specific of product.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Deploys inventory management strategies to ensure product availability and minimize disruptions.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the implementation of omnichannel retailing to ensure seamless and consistent brand experience for customers.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Expands market presence through the strategic utilization of cutting-edge technologies, such as online platforms.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
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)
Describes the standards and procedures for creating visually appealing product displays.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Contributes to merchandise stocking and restocking planning, following standard rules and procedures.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Makes necessary adjustments to product pricing and merchandising to maintain profit margins.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Guides and trains retail teams on merchandising techniques and visual presentation strategies.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and executes merchandise allocation strategies across a wide variety of retail organization types.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Merchandise Buyer Assistant - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer Assistant
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer Assistant
Proficiency Level - 5

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

1 Job Family Competencies – Cost Control
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses how to control costs and keep other expenses within budget.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports cost control initiatives throughout the organization.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Makes cost-effective decisions dealing with outside vendors to control expenditures.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages and oversees all cost control aspects for a large-scale project from inception to completion.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Generates and establishes strict cost controls for all company spending in alignment with the budget.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
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)
Explains the importance of reverse logistics in promoting the cost-effective handling of goods and returns.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers the criteria used for evaluating returned items to determine if they are eligible for return, repair, or refund.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Helps management in designing the reverse logistic networks to minimize transportation distances and costs.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Designs the guidelines for assessing returned items to guide staff on the proper course of action for returned items.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes standardized operating procedures for the inspection and sorting for the reverse logistical process.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Merchandise Buyer Assistant - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer Assistant
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer Assistant
Proficiency Level - 5

8 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Merchandise Buyer Assistant

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)
Names the distinct types of schedules, including conceptual schedules and master schedules.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Selects the appropriate method to schedule appointments, encompassing electronic or written styles.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Verifies the availability of involved participants for scheduled meetings to ensure complete attendance.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides workforce management scheduling and load balancing requirements for work peaks.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops standards, metrics, and procedures to maximize scheduling management efficiency.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Core Competencies – Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
Proficiency Level -1
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)
Lists some typical KPIs from own industry, business, and function.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies KPIs currently in use and provides input to management.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains an organized data management process to track progress on KPIs.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leverages the Business Intelligence (BI) technologies and tools for KPI reporting and analysis.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of current organizational KPI architecture.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Merchandise Buyer Assistant - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer Assistant
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer Assistant
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Merchandise Buyer Assistant skills and competencies

There are 7 hard skills for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Retail Industry, Merchandising, Merchandise Quality and Compliance, etc.
4 general skills for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Cost Control, Reverse Logistics, Inventory Control, etc.
8 soft skills for Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Scheduling, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Attention to Detail, etc.
While the list totals 19 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, he or she needs to be proficient in Scheduling, be proficient in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and be proficient in Attention to Detail.

It's Easy to Get Started

Get the precision you need to assess, hire, and develop top talent with skills and competencies – see how with a personalized demo.