Skills & Competencies for Retail Store Department Manager

Retail Store Department Manager job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Retail Store Department Manager

Oversees merchandising and staff in a department.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Retail Store Department Manager

May have keyholder responsibilities. Responsible for department retail sales staff training, assignments, and scheduling.

Retail Store Department Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$49,188
TOTAL 50%
$50,309
Job Level
M00
Job Code
SM15000239
Education/Degree
High School Diploma or Technical Certificate
Reports To
Manager or Head of a Unit/Department

Retail Store Department 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 Retail Store Department Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

8 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Retail Store Department Manager

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)
Defines the importance of effective merchandising strategies in boosting retail sales and profit margins.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Conducts research on current and upcoming distribution channels tailored to a specific product category.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes consumer buying patterns and trends to predict product and service demands.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates and leverages KPIs to assess the effectiveness of retail sales strategies and promotional methods.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and executes customer segmentation and personalization techniques to deliver tailored marketing promotions.
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)
Cites examples of common merchandising techniques for ensuring consistent brand presentation.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Aids in compiling market research to identify trends and ensure the effectiveness of merchandising strategies.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes customers' feedback to improve product assortment and pricing plans.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Coordinates with vendors and buyers to ensure timely delivery and optimal placement of merchandise.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds relationships with strategic partners to secure access to superior merchandise offerings, data, and terms.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Retail Store Department Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Retail Store Department Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Retail Store Department Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

3 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Retail Store Department Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Training and Development
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-The process of improving the job performance of an individual or group through structured and planned training sessions.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses commonly used techniques and methods in the training and development process.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers employee behavior and performance data to determine the content of training and development programs.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Delivers training and development program adjusting to various types of audience.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates the performance of training sessions and recommends improvements accordingly.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops metrics system to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of training.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
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)
Explains the principles of promotion and its importance to the marketing efforts.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Logs schedules for promotions in target accounts.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Helps senior management in developing promotional plans based on the product or service features.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the execution of promotional initiatives in accordance with the key metrics.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops effective and innovative strategies for project promotion.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Retail Store Department Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Retail Store Department Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Retail Store Department Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

11 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Retail Store Department Manager

1 Core Competencies – Financial Acumen
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Obtaining financial information and applying financial understanding to foster sound judgment and correct business decisions.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Identifies basic approaches used to earn profits and increase profitability.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Collects and analyzes financial data to evaluate an organization's financial performance.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains adequate cash flow following established regulations.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Forecasts the financial impact of business decisions to determine our business's financial results.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs data-gathering procedures to streamline the collection of financial information within our business.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Core Competencies – Budgeting
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Applying specific policies, tools and practices to plan and prepare projected revenues, expenses, cash flows, and capital expenditures.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the different purposes and uses of our organization's budgets.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers financial data to help support management in budgeting analysis and forecasting.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Prepares and reviews the annual budgeting process to ensure effective and efficient budgeting.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors budgeting processes to ensure adherence to our organization's financial practices and standards.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes operating procedures to guide the consistency and repeatability of our budgeting processes.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Retail Store Department Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Retail Store Department Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Retail Store Department Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Retail Store Department Manager skills and competencies

There are 8 hard skills for Retail Store Department Manager, Retail Industry, Merchandising, Retail Operations, etc.
3 general skills for Retail Store Department Manager, Training and Development, Promotion, Inventory Management.
11 soft skills for Retail Store Department Manager, Financial Acumen, Budgeting, Planning and Organizing, etc.
While the list totals 22 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 Retail Store Department Manager, he or she needs to be proficient in Financial Acumen, be proficient in Budgeting, and be proficient in Planning and Organizing.

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.