Buying and merchandising assistant Apprenticeship Standard

Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Buying and merchandising assistant standard?

Knowledge

K1: How to develop an operational or strategic approach to buying and / or merchandising
K2: Industry standards, regulations and legislation relating to the ethical and sustainable sourcing, purchasing and sale of goods to ensure compliance
K3: Product lifecycle from development to customer and the critical path approach to support the buying and merchandising process
K4: Principles of buying and merchandising and the specific role of each
K5: The brand position within the market, which includes both UK and global markets, retailer types and trading models
K6: Effective methods of negotiation, and how they relate to the organisation’s strategy, goals and ethical stance
K7: Key aspects of the sector in respect of global and domestic trading patterns
K8: Principles of working within strategic operational buying and merchandising frameworks
K9: Effective methods of communication to achieve operational success
K10: The principles of internal trend analysis and forecasting
K11: The principles of undertaking competitor analyses
K12: The different purchasing habits of customers, seasonality and the different customer journey across all purchasing channels
K13: The importance of keeping up with current trends within the industry
K14: The importance of customer profiles and how they impact buying and merchandising operations
K15: The principles of team dynamics and relationships in order to achieve individual and organisational goals
K16: The importance of coaching and mentoring to support the development of the buying and merchandising teams
K17: The goals and targets of the business, the drivers of performance and the contribution of the team in order to achieve these
K18: The key performance indicators of the department, their performance and how to individually contribute to their success
K19: The range and impact of external factors such as currency fluctuation and global suppliers have on profit margin and costs
K20: The impact of stock planning and densities on profitability and how it aligns to organisational/brand strategy
K21: Factors affecting and impacting seasonal planning to ensure availability of appropriate products and to drive profit

Skills

S1: Uses their market/industry knowledge to contribute to new product development and innovation
S2: Contributes to the building of customer focused ranges to meet the brand identity of the business
S3: Ensures product quality and legal compliance by working within industry standards, regulations and legislation to source, purchase and sell goods
S4: Ensures accurate implementation of the critical path prioritising actions accordingly
S5: Negotiates in a manner that balances the need for a sound financial return, with the need to operate ethically, honestly and fairly
S6: Monitors agreed performance targets with suppliers to manage ongoing supplier relationships
S7: Applies the organisation strategy to buying and/or merchandising to ensure strategic objectives are met
S8: Applies an ethical and sustainable approach to the buying and merchandising process in line with policies and procedures to achieve legal compliance
S9: Ensures the agreed route to market is delivered and maintained successfully so that objectives are met
S10: Works with external and internal departments (for example, marketing, distribution, suppliers) to build relationships to drive sales activity and support the delivery of the business objectives across all channels
S11: Uses data to support decisions to influence both the strategic and operational direction of the buying and/or merchandising approach.
S12: Demonstrates accurate application of systems in analysing data (for example, customer trends, buying patterns, stock rotation and levels)
S13: Analyses and presents business data to support achievement of business strategies, brand and KPIs
S14: Evaluates commercial performance to support proposed actions for both good and poor product performers
S15: Demonstrates anticipation of customer buying and product patterns to forecast future demand
S16: Articulates relevant ideas and opinions towards trends and competitor activity so that opportunities may be identified
S17: Applies customer profile/trend data to inform the development of a range, products and services
S18: Formulates and communicates customer propositions
S19: Develops self and individuals to improve personal and team performance and capability
S20: Demonstrates commercial buying and merchandising within a financial framework
S21: Operates in a manner that produces the required financial rate of return for the business
S22: Ensures effective stock management to support the delivery of the sales and profit forecasts
S23: Coaches and mentors new/less experienced colleagues

Behaviours

B1: Is creative thinking, and enthusiastic with a positive and professional attitude
B2: Is confident accountable and pro-active
B3: Shows tenacity and is prepared to take risks
B4: Is resilient, organised with an eye for attention to detail
B5: Is flexible, agile and adaptable to changing markets
B6: Operates within professional code of ethics
B7: Is an ambassador for the business

Core occupation duties

DUTY: Monitor the critical path to ensure products are delivered on time
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Recommendations made for new and existing products to agreed timescales

DUTY: Engage with internal and external functions (such as marketing, PR, distribution, suppliers, supply chain, stores, on-line, sales teams, design teams, product technologists, customers) to deliver product ranges that meet business KPIs and customer needs
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Issues that affect other internal and external functions identified promptly and resolvedNo KPIs missed through poor communication or failure to collaborate

DUTY: Contribute to the continuous improvement of the buying and merchandising processes, responding to sector trends and new ways of working to drive sales and profit
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Recommendations for improvements made to senior team members

DUTY: Coach and mentor new colleagues to drive development
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Individual and team development recorded

DUTY: Develop and maintain a stakeholder network, to facilitate negotiations to maximise opportunities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Professional relationships developed, issues identified and resolved promptly. KPIs met

DUTY: Receive and resolve queries and questions from stakeholders (suppliers, designers, packagers, customers) regarding products, process, services, critical path deliverables etc
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Internal and external functions briefed on critical path

Buying assistant duties

DUTY: Manage the ordering, delivery, testing and showcasing of samples, to support the final selection of products
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Recommendations made for new and existing products to agreed timescales

DUTY: Action all the required processes throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring trading and pricing policies are adhered to, meeting the requirements of the current business strategy
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Issues that affect other internal and external functions identified promptly and resolvedNo KPIs missed through poor communication or failure to collaborate

DUTY: Input products into the database and carry out on-going maintenance. Coordinate the product content and imagery to support and maximise the sales of the product
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Recommendations for improvements made to senior team members

DUTY: Monitor competitor activities and update prices accordingly in line with legislation and organisation policies
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Individual and team development recorded

DUTY: Use competitor and market analysis to identify opportunities to improve/increase sales performance
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Professional relationships developed, issues identified and resolved promptly. KPIs met

DUTY: Assist in the creation of future range building inputting into trend and competitor analysis
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Internal and external functions briefed on critical path

Merchandising assistant duties

DUTY: Manage suppliers and key stakeholders (distribution/warehousing and depots, branches/ stores, online) to ensure stock levels are kept within agreed targets/timelines
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Recommendations made for new and existing products to agreed timescales

DUTY: Place and manage orders for assigned products, in line with the agreed volume and specification
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Issues that affect other internal and external functions identified promptly and resolvedNo KPIs missed through poor communication or failure to collaborate

DUTY: Assist in producing short to mid-term product range forecasts for intake and delivery
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Recommendations for improvements made to senior team members

DUTY: Use current and past data to identify opportunities to improve sales and profit performance, providing reforecasts of stock, delivery dates and cancellations to minimise/maximise financial impact. Provide weekly trading analysis
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Individual and team development recorded

DUTY: Assist in the creation of future range building by inputting financial targets and plans and data analysis
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Professional relationships developed, issues identified and resolved promptly. KPIs met

DUTY: Provide orders and line level product forecasts to suppliers. Manage/maintain stock replenishment system to maximise availability and drive sales
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Internal and external functions briefed on critical path

Buying and merchandising assistant

Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Buying and merchandising assistant standard?

Knowledge

Skills

Behaviours

Core occupation duties

Buying assistant duties

Merchandising assistant duties

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Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Buying and merchandising assistant standard?