Skills & Competencies for Merchandise Buyer Assistant

Merchandise Buyer Assistant job profile

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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
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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)
Identifies and explains the characteristics and key features of various retail business models.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies and explains major operational issues and considerations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements promotional activities to communicate the features and benefits of new products.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors and optimizes retail operations to enhance productivity and cost-effectiveness.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Explores the historical and future positioning of the organization in light of prevailing retail trends.
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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)
Discusses the use and importance of web analytics for improving online merchandising strategies.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents and reports to management identified merchandise stock discrepancies, damage, or other issues.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses advanced inventory management tools to monitor and optimize the stock levels of products.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the planning and execution of merchandise promotional activities to drive sales and generate revenue.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops and publishes advanced research on innovative merchandising techniques, strategies, and theories.
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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)
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)
Lists the tools and technologies used to optimize the efficiency of reverse logistics operations.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the inventory management of returned products within our organization's reverse logistic operations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Prepares the tracking codes for returned items to monitor their shipment during the reverse logistical process.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees the analysis of returned items to identify if the product is eligible for refund, repair, or for disposal.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Stays current and adapts the industry trends on techniques to improve the efficiency of reverse logistic operations.
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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.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Selects the appropriate method to schedule appointments, encompassing electronic or written styles.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Verifies the availability of involved participants for scheduled meetings to ensure complete attendance.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides workforce management scheduling and load balancing requirements for work peaks.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops standards, metrics, and procedures to maximize scheduling management efficiency.
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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.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Produces standard and ad-hoc KPI reports following standard procedures.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains an organized data management process to track progress on KPIs.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leverages the Business Intelligence (BI) technologies and tools for KPI reporting and analysis.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of current organizational KPI architecture.
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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.

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