Skills & Competencies for Merchandise Buyer, Sr.

Merchandise Buyer, Sr. job profile

Book a Demo and Receive a Sample Job Profile

JOB SUMMARY for Merchandise Buyer, Sr.

Selects merchandise for order, places order, and stays involved in inventory distribution.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Merchandise Buyer, Sr.

Reviews success of previous orders to determine extent to which inventory should be replenished. Researches new trends or advances in product lines to make appropriate buying decisions. Functions as a decision maker with orders of a larger and more complex scope.

Merchandise Buyer, Sr. SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$147,138
TOTAL 50%
$164,429
Job Level
P04
Job Code
SM15000258
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Supervisor or Manager

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

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

1 Industry Competency – Retail Industry
Proficiency Level -2
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.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies and explains major operational issues and considerations.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements promotional activities to communicate the features and benefits of new products.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors and optimizes retail operations to enhance productivity and cost-effectiveness.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Explores the historical and future positioning of the organization in light of prevailing retail trends.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Industry Competency – Merchandising
Proficiency Level -2
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.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents and reports to management identified merchandise stock discrepancies, damage, or other issues.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses advanced inventory management tools to monitor and optimize the stock levels of products.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the planning and execution of merchandise promotional activities to drive sales and generate revenue.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops and publishes advanced research on innovative merchandising techniques, strategies, and theories.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Merchandise Buyer, Sr. - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 5

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

1 Job Family Competencies – Cost Control
Proficiency Level -3
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 -2
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, Sr. - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 5

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

1 Core Competencies – Scheduling
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Discusses the importance of scheduling, which includes achieving a good work-life balance.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records employee availability to increase attendance at scheduled meetings.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Prepares staffing forecast dashboards as well as comparative data on results versus forecasts.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages travel arrangements or schedules, such as booking flights and making hotel or restaurant reservations.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates strategies and objectives to improve the functional infrastructure of general workforce scheduling.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Core Competencies – Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Describes the concepts and purposes of Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers internal and external benchmarks for KPI development.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Interprets and analyses KPI data to recommend courses of action.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates ongoing productivity; recommends corresponding modifications on KPIs as indicated.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes organizational Key Performance Indicators (KPI) frameworks and management processes.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Merchandise Buyer, Sr. - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Buyer, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Buyer, Sr.
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Merchandise Buyer, Sr. skills and competencies

There are 8 hard skills for Merchandise Buyer, Sr., Retail Industry, Merchandising, Merchandise Quality and Compliance, etc.
3 general skills for Merchandise Buyer, Sr., Cost Control, Reverse Logistics, Strategic Sourcing.
10 soft skills for Merchandise Buyer, Sr., Scheduling, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Financial Acumen, etc.
While the list totals 21 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, Sr., he or she needs to be skilled in Scheduling, be skilled in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and be skilled in Financial Acumen.

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.