Apprenticeship training course
Buying and merchandising assistant (level 4)
Helping bring products to market for retailer buying or merchandising teams.
- Qualification level
-
4
Equivalent to higher national certificate (HNC). - Typical duration
- 18 months
- Apprenticeship category
- Sales, marketing and procurement
- Maximum funding
-
£6,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training. - Also known as
-
- Buying assistant
- Merchandising assistant
- Skills
-
Skills an apprentice will learn
- Uses their market/industry knowledge to contribute to new product development and innovation
- Contributes to the building of customer focused ranges to meet the brand identity of the business
- Ensures product quality and legal compliance by working within industry standards, regulations and legislation to source, purchase and sell goods
- Ensures accurate implementation of the critical path prioritising actions accordingly
- Negotiates in a manner that balances the need for a sound financial return, with the need to operate ethically, honestly and fairly
- Monitors agreed performance targets with suppliers to manage ongoing supplier relationships
- Applies the organisation strategy to buying and/or merchandising to ensure strategic objectives are met
- Applies an ethical and sustainable approach to the buying and merchandising process in line with policies and procedures to achieve legal compliance
- Ensures the agreed route to market is delivered and maintained successfully so that objectives are met
- 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
- Uses data to support decisions to influence both the strategic and operational direction of the buying and/or merchandising approach.
- Demonstrates accurate application of systems in analysing data (for example, customer trends, buying patterns, stock rotation and levels)
- Evaluates commercial performance to support proposed actions for both good and poor product performers
- Demonstrates anticipation of customer buying and product patterns to forecast future demand
- Articulates relevant ideas and opinions towards trends and competitor activity so that opportunities may be identified
- Applies customer profile/trend data to inform the development of a range, products and services
- Formulates and communicates customer propositions
- Develops self and individuals to improve personal and team performance and capability
- Demonstrates commercial buying and merchandising within a financial framework
- Operates in a manner that produces the required financial rate of return for the business
- Coaches and mentors new/less experienced colleagues
Full information on Buying and merchandising assistant (level 4) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.