Skills & Competencies for Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner job profile

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JOB SUMMARY for Merchandise Planner

Plans and forecasts for future merchandise buys based on historical buys, reoccurring buys and current inventory levels.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Merchandise Planner

Responsible for reviewing stock to sales ratios, responding to changing sales trends, and ensuring plan sales, plan markups, and plan markdowns are achieved by departments. Plans and coordinates merchandise flow-through. Inputs and maintains data in various merchandising systems.

Merchandise Planner SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$78,776
TOTAL 50%
$82,474
Job Level
P02
Job Code
SM15000260
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Supervisor or Manager

Merchandise Planner 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 Planner skill and competencie below to view definitions.
INDUSTRY COMPETENCIES JOB FAMILY COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES
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6 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Merchandise Planner

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)
Names commonly used tools and systems for processing transactions and managing retail inventory levels.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the implementation of standard procedures and store protocols to ensure smooth retail operations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Works closely with merchandising teams to create visually appealing displays and maximize product visibility.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Supervises the team in conducting market analysis and competitor research to gain a competitive advantage.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Promotes the use of e-commerce platforms and retail channels to drive online sales and customer engagement.
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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)
Lists the factors to consider for determining and setting appropriate pricing for merchandise.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the planning and execution of promotional campaigns to drive customer engagement and sales.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Works closely with the marketing and other retail teams to develop promotional campaigns for various product lines.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees the development and implementation of store layouts to ensure product visibility and increase sales.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Recommends advanced retail layout and design systems to maximize merchandising results across sales locations.
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3 Merchandise Planner - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Planner
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Planner
Proficiency Level - 5

3 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Merchandise Planner

1 Job Family Competencies – Financial Planning
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Allocating financial resources and developing business strategies.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists clients' financial planning and investment needs and objectives.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Tracks the financial planning and analysis activities of the company.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses various software programs in entering data for the preparation of financial plans.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Presents financial planning modules for clients to map out their financial future.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the annual financial planning process to develop company functions.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Promotion
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Developing and implementing promotional activities to attract and increase the awareness of customers in buying products.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Names different kinds of promotional marketing materials.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Tracks and reports the results of promotional activities.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses interactive materials such as videos, charts, or slideshows to show product features to clients.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees a targeted promotion initiative to an identified set of customers.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the development and launching of multiple marketing promotions.
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3 Merchandise Planner - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Planner
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Planner
Proficiency Level - 5

8 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Merchandise Planner

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 -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)
Explains the benefits and risks of using KPIs.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies KPIs currently in use and provides input to management.
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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 Planner - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandise Planner
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandise Planner
Proficiency Level - 5

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.

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