Course Title

Buying and Merchandising

Course Description

This is an introductory course designed to explore the role and responsibility of a buyer and merchandiser. This course will cover job skills necessary to prepare for the role of a buyer or merchandiser including the ability to use mathematic formulas, budgeting, research, making purchases, and additional responsibilities of the buyer. Students will develop leadership traits and identify their leadership potential through participation in the DECA (an association of marketing students) student organization.

Contact

Ida Fryhover
Program Specialist
405-743-5473
ifryh@okcareertech.org

OCAS Codes	OHLAP Credit	Course Length	Prerequisites
8304	No	60 Hours Course hours based on carnegie units.	Marketing Fundamentals (or) Product & Service Sales

Knowledge and Skills

Explore the concepts and processes needed to move, store, locate, and/or transfer ownership of goods and services.
Identify management and inventory control methods
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each inventory control system
Identify loss prevention methods
Maintain inventory of products/supplies
Explain procedures for packing orders
Describe techniques for tracking/tracing shipments
Organize shipping/receiving
Select distribution channels
Develop and implement order-fulfillment processes
Identify documentation that should be completed when fulfilling orders
Explain the importance of following company procedures when processing incoming merchandise
Identify information found on a packing list
Describe methods for checking incoming merchandise
Identify the cause of problems with incoming merchandise
Explain options in handling returned/damaged goods
Explain information needed to file claims for lost/damaged goods
Explain procedures for resolving problems with incoming shipments
Describe the importance of proper paperwork in processing returns to vendors
Describe and demonstrate methods to store merchandise
Describe the purpose of handling and packaging labels in a warehouse
Explain how hazardous materials are labeled

Explore the concepts and processes needed to obtain develop, maintain, and improve a product or service mix in response to market opportunities.
Explore the functions of buying and merchandising
Describe the importance of merchandising plans
Identify components of merchandising plans
Explain how to develop and use a merchandising plan
Identify buyer/merchandiser responsibilities
Explain the buying process
Describe the nature of buyer reputation and vendor relationships
Establish company buying/purchasing policies
Conduct vendor search
Negotiate contracts with vendors
Place orders
Plan product/service mix
Build brand/image
Plan visual merchandising

Explore the financial concepts used in making business decisions.
Explain the purposes and importance of obtaining business credit
Establish credit policies
Develop billing and collection policies
Establish financial goals and objectives
Develop and monitor budget
Manage cash flow
Budget and plan for the purchase
Compute retail math

Explore the concepts and actions needed to determine client needs and wants and respond through planned, personalized communication that influences purchase decisions and enhances future business opportunities.
Acquire product information for use in selling
Analyze product information to identify product features and benefits
Establish relationship with client/customer
Determine customer/client needs
Determine customer's buying motives for use in selling
Differentiate between consumer and organizational buying behavior
Follow steps of a sale
Provide customer service assistance

Explore the concepts, systems, and tools needed to gather, access, synthesize, evaluate, and disseminate information for use in making business decisions.
Review sales reports
Analyze cash-flow patterns
Use budgets to control operations
Develop expense-control plans
Analyze operating results in relation to budget/industry
Interpret sales and inventory reports
Forecast income/sales
Conduct break-even analysis

Explore concepts and strategies needed for career exploration, development, and growth.
Evaluate career opportunities based on the current/future economy
Select and use sources of career information
Explain employment opportunities in buying and merchandising
Describe techniques for obtaining work experience
Utilize resources that can contribute to professional development Use networking techniques for professional growth
Utilize job search strategies
Complete a job application
Interview for a job
Write follow-up letters
Write letter of applications
Prepare or update a resume

Participate in a student organization to develop leadership skills and career development awareness.
Demonstrate team building skills
Share ideas for team development
Identify leadership skills necessary to develop a career as an buyer/merchandiser
Research scholarship opportunities for post-secondary education in the field of buying and merchandising
Demonstrate appropriate ways to effectively network with professionals
Demonstrate effective leadership skills when working with groups

Accountability Measures, Assessments, or Evaluation Procedures

Required Brainbench Certification:

• Retail Industry Knowledge

http://www.okcareertech.org/mkted/courseinfo/brainbench.htm


Recommended ODCTE Certification:
Skills Standards
http://www.okcareertech.org/testing/Skills%20Standards/Marketing_Career_Cluster.htm

• Salesmanship

http://www.okcareertech.org/certify 


Recommended Additional Certification:

• A*S*K (MarkEd)

http://www.askinstitute.org

Industry Alignments

National Retail Federation (NRF)

Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education
Columbus, OH
www.entre-ed.org

Curriculum Resources

Goodheart-Wilcox, The World of Fashion Merchandising, 2003
Retailing, Priscilla R. McCalla, 2005, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill,Woodland Hills, CA
http://www.marketingseries.glencoe.com
Retail Readiness Certification Prep, 2005, Thomson/South-Western
http://www.retailreadiness.swlearning.com
Fashion Marketing, Dotty Boen Oelkers, 2004, Thomson South-Western, Mason, OH
http://www.swlearning.com
Marketing LAPS (Learning Activity Packets), MarkEd, Columbus,OH
http://www.mark-ed.org
NRF Standard Color and Size Codes, National Retail Federation
http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=535
DECA
http://www.deca.org
Virtual Business, Retailing
http://www.knowledgematters.com
GoVenture
http://www.goventure.net

This Course Found In These Career Majors