Skills & Competencies for Merchandising Manager

Merchandising Manager job profile

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JOB SUMMARY for Merchandising Manager

Manages merchandising operations and develops and executes merchandising plans to deliver volume and profit goals.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Merchandising Manager

Develops effective merchandising plans for categories and locations, utilizing data representing customer insights, consumer trends, buying patterns, sales and inventory metrics, forecasting, and competitive landscape. Collaborate with marketing, finance, and buying to Identify new suppliers and products that reflect consumer preferences and drive sales. Coaches and mentors merchandising staff to produce product assortments that reflect branding, buying trends and support seasonal customer demand.

Merchandising Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$120,006
TOTAL 50%
$131,566
Job Level
M02
Job Code
SM15000349
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Director

Merchandising Manager 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 Merchandising Manager 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 Merchandising Manager

1 Industry Competency – Retail Industry
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Gathers and compiles data about key competitors for a specific of product.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Deploys inventory management strategies to ensure product availability and minimize disruptions.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the implementation of omnichannel retailing to ensure seamless and consistent brand experience for customers.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Expands market presence through the strategic utilization of cutting-edge technologies, such as online platforms.
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2 Industry Competency – Merchandising
Proficiency Level -3
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 Merchandising Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandising Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandising Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

5 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Merchandising Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Licensing Management
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Ability to participate in and oversee the acquisition, tracking, compliance and optimization of licenses for various assets within our organization.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists the major activities involved in licensing management.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Maintains up-to-date records of licensing agreements, renewals, and compliance activities.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Leads in discussions and negotiations regarding licensing terms.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Implements advanced automation solutions for meticulous licensing tracking.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and develops compliance monitoring frameworks to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to licensing agreements.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Marketing Operations
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Designing, executing, and optimizing systems, tools, and processes to ensure the smooth and efficient operations of marketing activities.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains roles and responsibilities performed under marketing operations function.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Compiles questionnaires, polls, surveys, and other data collection resources.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Manages analytics dashboards to measure the performance of our marketing channels.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors emerging market trends to strategize ways to increase our market share.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates marketing plans to ensure campaigns meet standard processes and quality standards.
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3 Merchandising Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandising Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandising Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

12 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Merchandising Manager

1 Core Competencies – Business Acumen
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Insight into our organization's business, goals, and values. Ability to design and implement initiatives that facilitate successful outcomes.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of our products and services.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Explains advantages and disadvantages of different organizational structures from an efficiency perspective.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Communicates financial insights that positively influence the business plan development process.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates and explains the financial aspects of a business initiative to different teams.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions organizational change and digital transformation to drive higher business performance.
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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).
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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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3 Merchandising Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Merchandising Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Merchandising Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Merchandising Manager skills and competencies

There are 7 hard skills for Merchandising Manager, Retail Industry, Merchandising, Merchandise Quality and Compliance, etc.
5 general skills for Merchandising Manager, Licensing Management, Marketing Operations, Promotion, etc.
12 soft skills for Merchandising Manager, Business Acumen, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Budgeting, etc.
While the list totals 24 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 Merchandising Manager, he or she needs to be skilled in Business Acumen, be skilled in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and be proficient in Budgeting.

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