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)
Identifies and explains the characteristics and key features of various retail business models.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies and explains major operational issues and considerations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements promotional activities to communicate the features and benefits of new products.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors and optimizes retail operations to enhance productivity and cost-effectiveness.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Explores the historical and future positioning of the organization in light of prevailing retail trends.
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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)
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 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)
Explains the importance and benefits of the training and development process.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Prepares instructional materials and programs using proper training methods.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Designs engaging and media-rich instructional to support training and continued learning and development.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees the training sessions for employee skill enhancement.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Keeps abreast of new developments and innovations related to training and development.
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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)
Lists the basic techniques used in executing promotion in the marketing sector.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Shows potential customers how a product or service works.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements promotional activities in accordance with the set budget.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages various promotional initiatives such as direct marketing and sales promotion.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes a metric system to evaluate the effectiveness of major promotional efforts.
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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)
Describes key financial literacy concepts and principles.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Analyzes data and interprets key financial indicators to help decision-making processes.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Adheres to financial budgets and resource allocations to properly manage transactions.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Consults on the methods and techniques in managing credit and debt.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds systems and tools critical for measuring financial accountability in our business.
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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)
Compiles a list of basic issues and risks for conducting our budget processes.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies established guidelines for conducting our budgeting processes.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Communicates budget objectives and plans to help identify financial trends and create budget forecasts.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Anticipates organizational income and expenses to make forecasts and develop budget plans.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Adapts relevant industry trends on techniques in financial budgeting in our organization.
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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.

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