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)
Describes financial planning and its components.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies financial planning concepts to help clients build effective financial plans.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyses financial planning structures to achieve a customer's lifetime financial goals.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Collaborates with the team to implement best practice processes to support financial planning.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Authorizes the implementation of financial planning systems to ensure effective reporting.
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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)
Cites different types of promotional marketing.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Compiles analytics of promotional activities to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of campaigns.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes reports on promotional activities to assess the effectiveness of initiatives.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Discusses budgets and contracts, marketing plans, and the selection of advertising media.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Approves design concepts and marketing strategies for key promotional efforts.
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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)
Cites examples of effective scheduling skills, including data entry, customer service, and appointment setting.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents different kinds of communications related to work schedules, such as memos, emails, and reports.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Administers phone calls and emails to respond to customers' inquiries regarding upcoming or scheduled appointments.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Collaborates with workforce management professionals to integrate scheduling optimization tools.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Authorizes the planning schedules of companies and organizations that operate in various industries.
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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)
Cites examples of KPIs applied at individual, team, and organizational levels.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in KPI analysis and patterns discovery to support management in decision making.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Collaborates with related stakeholders to decide cross-functional KPIs.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Analyses the pros and cons of specific KPI metrics to ascertain the best course of action.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds and updates innovative KPI management tools to optimize KPI selection and implementation processes.
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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.