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home Sales, marketing and procurement
Buying and merchandising assistant - Buying assistant

Buying and merchandising assistant - Buying assistant

Sales, marketing and procurement

Level 4 - Higher Technical Occupation

Buying and merchandising assistants work collaboratively to contribute to the delivery of department/company sales and profit targets.

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Reference: OCC0683A

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £32,391 per year

SOC 2020 code: 3551 Buyers and procurement officers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 3551/00 Buyers and procurement officers
  • 1134/02 Procurement and purchasing managers and directors
  • 3551/00 Buyers and procurement officers

Technical Education Products

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Allen Apprenticeships and Skills, Ocado, People First, Steinhoff UK Ltd, The Fashion Retail Academy

Summary

This occupation is primarily found in retail organisations, but also exists across a variety of other sectors that manage the acquisition, planning, and distribution of products, stock and/or goods. These may include wholesale, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, fashion, food and drink, e-commerce, and other industries with structured buying and merchandising operations. These organisations may serve customers and clientele directly (B2C), operate through intermediaries, or supply other businesses (B2B).

The primary purpose of the role is to support buying and merchandising teams in ensuring the right products/stock/goods are available at the right time and place. Individuals will assist with coordination, data, and administrative tasks across product selection, supplier liaison, stock tracking, and reporting. This occupation features two pathways:

Buying assistants support the selection, sourcing, and onboarding of new products/stock/goods, contributing to the development of the organisation’s portfolio. They assist in managing supplier relationships, coordinating sample testing and/or evaluation processes, and ensure that products/materials/stock are accurately documented and aligned with commercial agreements.

Merchandising assistants monitor performance and availability of products/stock/goods by collating, distributing, and analysing relevant data. They identify trends, demand patterns, and anomalies, using a range of business tools and systems. Their responsibilities may include placing and tracking supplier orders, ensuring availability across channels and distribution points, and supporting inventory management to meet commercial objectives.

Together, they work collaboratively to help achieve organisational or departmental targets for sales, margin, and efficiency. They will normally report to a more senior member of the buying or merchandising team, but this will vary by employer.

Individuals in this occupation typically interact with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including wider buying and merchandising teams, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, planners, logistics, marketing, finance, and IT departments. The role is typically office-based, but may involve hybrid working and travel to supplier meetings, trade fairs, distribution centres, operational sites, and potentially international travel for supplier or factory engagements.

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Allen Apprenticeships and Skills, Ocado, People First, Steinhoff UK Ltd, The Fashion Retail Academy

Typical job titles include:

Buying assistant
Merchandising assistant

Keywords:

Buyin
Marketing
Merchandise
Products
Retail
Sales
Wholesaling

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

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
K21: Factors affecting and impacting seasonal planning to ensure availability of appropriate products and to drive profit

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
S23: Coaches and mentors new/less experienced colleagues

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

Duties

Duty D1

Monitor the critical path to ensure products are delivered on time

Duty D2

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

Duty D3

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

Duty D4

Coach and mentor new colleagues to drive development

Duty D5

Develop and maintain a stakeholder network, to facilitate negotiations to maximise opportunities

Duty D6

Receive and resolve queries and questions from stakeholders (suppliers, designers, packagers, customers) regarding products, process, services, critical path deliverables etc

Duty D7

Manage the ordering, delivery, testing and showcasing of samples, to support the final selection of products

Duty D8

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

Duty D9

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

Duty D10

Monitor competitor activities and update prices accordingly in line with legislation and organisation policies

Duty D11

Use competitor and market analysis to identify opportunities to improve/increase sales performance

Duty D12

Assist in the creation of future range building inputting into trend and competitor analysis