6 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Merchandise Planner
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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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 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Merchandise Planner
Skill definition-Allocating financial resources and developing business strategies.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Enters the financial planning data in various software and databases.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Collects financial information and data to recommend and predict financial planning and operations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Partners with finance team counterparts to improve the effectiveness of the financial planning.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates financial scenario models for future business and financial planning decisions.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions continuous efforts to improve financial planning.
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Skill definition-Developing and implementing promotional activities to attract and increase the awareness of customers in buying products.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the principles of promotion and its importance to the marketing efforts.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Logs schedules for promotions in target accounts.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Helps senior management in developing promotional plans based on the product or service features.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the execution of promotional initiatives in accordance with the key metrics.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops effective and innovative strategies for project promotion.
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8 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Merchandise Planner
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.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records employee availability to increase attendance at scheduled meetings.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Prepares staffing forecast dashboards as well as comparative data on results versus forecasts.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages travel arrangements or schedules, such as booking flights and making hotel or restaurant reservations.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates strategies and objectives to improve the functional infrastructure of general workforce scheduling.
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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).
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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)
Defines and modifies strategic KPIs to drive organizational objectives and priorities.
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Summary of Merchandise Planner skills and competencies
There are 6 hard skills for Merchandise Planner, Retail Industry, Merchandising, Category Management, etc.
3 general skills for Merchandise Planner, Financial Planning, Promotion, Inventory Control.
8 soft skills for Merchandise Planner, Scheduling, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Attention to Detail, etc.
While the list totals 17 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 Planner, he or she needs to be proficient in Scheduling, be proficient in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and be proficient in Attention to Detail.