On an assistant buyer and assistant merchandiser apprenticeship course, you’ll help source, select, maintain, and deliver the right products to meet demand and business objectives.
A merchandiser or assistant buyer is familiar with the brand and the customer to source, select, manage, and deliver the right products to meet demand and business objectives.
You will use business forecasting, risk/opportunity analysis, innovation, and business intelligence to anticipate and influence consumer demand and market trends. As a result, assistant buyers identify and get the right products and services for the organisation to sell to customers.
On the other hand, merchandisers ensure that the correct products are available to customers in the right place, at the right time, and in the right amount. You will develop and implement a buying or merchandising plan in either role to ensure that current and future customer demand is analysed, forecasted, and fulfilled.
You will anticipate and prepare for new markets via consumer intelligence and research activities and contribute to company profit through efficient, effective, and long-term buying or merchandising.
What you’ll learn
On an assistant buyer and assistant merchandiser apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:
- Use customer and business process information to drive product and service portfolio management decisions.
- Analyse and react to significant effects on buying and merchandising strategies, and take action.
- Critically evaluate and advocate for new technological opportunities, considering how they may impact product diversity, fulfilment, and consumer behaviour.
- Maintain excellent communication with other teams and departments at the appropriate level to anticipate future problems and opportunities.
- Create a customer interaction plan based on critical research, identifying the most effective and profitable advertising methods.
- Create a customer engagement plan based on critical research that finds the most effective advertising methods.
- Work with the customer engagement team to enhance outcomes for both existing and new client groups.
- Improve your spreadsheet and pivot table creation skills by using your IT skills to improve and optimise reporting and analytical data to boost sales and profitability.
- Prepare executive-level reports on current and projected performance, and use sophisticated presentation skills to ensure that the results are communicated in the most effective and lucrative manner possible.
- Liaise with other key stakeholders to create a cohesive strategy throughout the business.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- Depending on the employer, but likely A-levels or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
- Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.
Assessment methods
The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods:
- Work-Based Project with a presentation and Q&As
- Professional Discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion
- Duration: 24 months
-
Level: 6 – Degree Apprenticeship
- Relevant school subjects: Business studies
- Potential salary upon completion: £21,000 per annum
Apprenticeship standard
More information about the Level 6 Assistant Buyer and Merchandiser Apprenticeship standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship end point assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.