Level 4 -
Buying and merchandising assistants work collaboratively to contribute to the delivery of department/company sales and profit targets.
Reference: OCC0683A
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
Allen Apprenticeships and Skills, Ocado, People First, Steinhoff UK Ltd, The Fashion Retail Academy
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.
Allen Apprenticeships and Skills, Ocado, People First, Steinhoff UK Ltd, The Fashion Retail Academy
Monitor the critical path to ensure products are delivered on time
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
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
Coach and mentor new colleagues to drive development
Develop and maintain a stakeholder network, to facilitate negotiations to maximise opportunities
Receive and resolve queries and questions from stakeholders (suppliers, designers, packagers, customers) regarding products, process, services, critical path deliverables etc
Manage the ordering, delivery, testing and showcasing of samples, to support the final selection of products
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
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
Monitor competitor activities and update prices accordingly in line with legislation and organisation policies
Use competitor and market analysis to identify opportunities to improve/increase sales performance
Assist in the creation of future range building inputting into trend and competitor analysis