Level 6 Assistant Buyer and Assistant Merchandiser Apprenticeship

Course Overview

The Assistant Buyer and Assistant Merchandiser qualification is a great way to learn and implement new skills, knowledge and behaviours within an Assistant Buyer/Buyer or Assistant Merchandiser/Merchandiser role. This apprenticeship is suitable for Assistant Buyers or Assistant Merchandisers who trade Food, Fashion or General Merchandise, including through stores, exclusively online and those who operate through a variety of channels.

14 months + EPA

Once an apprentice has completed their apprenticeship, they will be ‘signed off’ by their employer/ provider as ready for end-point assessment of their knowledge and practical capabilities. The assessment will be graded and must show the apprentice is fully competent and productive in the occupation.

End Point Assessment consists of:

Work based project with presentation and Q&A
Professional discussion

Fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% government-funded for eligible employers, with minimal contribution required.

Candidates should already be working within a buyer or merchandiser related role with direct opportunity to develop and apply trade skills within their job role. Employers may also provide additional entry criteria.

Learners aged 18 who do not have exemptions will still be required to achieve Level 2 Functional Skills.

Learners over 19 will have the option to either opt in or out of Functional Skills training and examinations. For those who choose to opt out, Fareport remains committed to supporting all learners in developing their literacy and numeracy skills by embedding these essential topics within the curriculum and assessments of the apprenticeship.

To be eligible for an Apprenticeship you (or the apprentice) must:

Be living and working in England
Be 16 years old or above
Have the legal right to work in the UK
Have maintained UK residency for the last 3 years
Be employed in a real job; they may be an existing employee or a new hire
Work towards achieving an approved apprenticeship standard or framework
Work at least 30 hours a week
Be able to commit to the apprenticeship and its requirements
Not hold a prior qualification at the same or higher level in the same subject area
Not undertake or benefit from DfE funding during their apprenticeship programme, including Student Loans.
Have apprenticeship training and employment that lasts at least 12 months.

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Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours

Knowledge (K) – The theoretical understanding an apprentice needs to perform their role effectively. This includes industry-specific principles, regulations, and best practices.

K1: Understands the overall product portfolio and brand image that the company is promoting to the customer, and can purchase and merchandise the products accordingly.
K2: Understands how to identify current and future buying and loyalty behaviours of existing and potential customer groups for core products and third party products
K3: Understands the impact of the buying critical path on the effective operation of the buying function. Understands the concept and impact of new product development.
K4: Understands when a product and product range has reached the end of its lifecycle, and acts appropriately to ensure its removal from the product range.
K5: Understands the key factors that influence UK and global markets, including economic and political activity
K6: Understands how different business models, buying cycles, trading models and customer groups can affect the buying and merchandising process.
K7: Understands the impact of emerging technological changes, for example AI, in terms of how product is sourced, how buying and merchandising processes might be improved, and how they might impact on customers,
K8: Understands what factors contribute to the strategic development of the buying and merchandising function,and how through their leadership, they can influence the development of the strategy
K9: Understands the key factors that influence the quality of a product and tolerance levels.
K10: Understands the strategic implications for product range development, and the appropriate courses of action available.
K11: Understands the importance of ensuring that at all stages of the buying and merchandising process, the product is fit for purpose and meets company standards
K12: Understands impact of new and evolving purchasing options across different fulfilment channels.
K13: Understands the main influencers on sales and profit growth, and can lead the team to achieve them.
K14: Understands the key financial levers and ratios that affect profitability, and can manage the team to ensure that profit is maximized.
K15: Understands the key deliverables associated with the buying and merchandising function, such as cost return rates, re-buys, cancellations, debit agreements, delivery dates, lead times etc.
K16: Understands the importance of effective negotiation and managing an ongoing relationship, including with designers, manufacturers and suppliers.
K17: Understands the importance of effective partnerships with other functions and departments, such as Merchandising, Sales and Finance, and leads the team to ensure that the outcomes from the relationships are maximized.
K18: Knows when to make appropriate refer decisions to senior executives in order to obtain the correct level of authorisation.
K19: Understands why effective planning and forecasting are vital to delivering a robust range plan, such as aspects of customer demand and changes in buying patterns.
K20: Understands the importance of, and strategies to, lead, coach, motivate and develop members of the team
K21: Understands the importance of leadership style and self – development, on the success of the business
K22: Knows how to identify the customer’s current and future needs and purchasing trends, including ethical and sustainable retailing
K23: Understands how different channels of delivery, buying cycles, trading models and customer groups can affect the buying and merchandising process.
K24: Understand how to identify current and future buying and loyalty behaviours of existing and potential customer groups.
K25: Understands key buying analysis criteria such as, competitor benchmarking, price comparison, and competitor analysis.
K26: Understands the roles that techniques such as business planning, pricing strategies, product design and product manufacture, often in a global context, have on the overall success of the business
K27: Understands the need to develop and implement innovative and responsive processes and systems to customer’s digital demands.
K28: Understands the requirements of delivering to the most appropriate route to market.
K29: Understands the potential problems that can arise from non-legal and ethical compliance and options for mitigation.
K30: Understands the concept and impact of new product development.
K31: Understands the importance of onboarding new suppliers to ensure full compliance with internal and external standards
K32: Understand where additional corporate requirements are needed to enhance compliance practice
K33: Understands the process that is required to ensure the rectification of any failures
K34: Understands how to effectively utilise data in order to identify commercial opportunities for their organisation
K35: Understands the importance of working together with other teams (especially buying)
K36: Understands the potential problems that can arise in merchandising and how they can be mitigated.
K37: Understands concepts such as ‘modern slavery’ and how they might impact on the business
K38: Understands allocation strategies and ensure effective data inputting
K39: Understands how to interrogate data in order to make effective trading decisions
K40: Understand merchandising concepts such as ‘fixturisation’, and the effective use of space
K41: Understands the impact of effective forecasting on the operation of the merchandising function.
K42: Understands in depth, the purpose of the critical path
K43: Understands supplier data, such as delivery intakes , packaging requirements etc.
K44: : Understand differing requirements across all methods of delivery (eg instore and on line)
K45: Understands the principles of having the right stock in the right place at the right time, in order to satisfy customer demand.
K46: Understands the impact that they have as a leader on the business,.
K47: Knows how to effectively build relationships with key external stakeholders
K48: Understands how to review and revise a system that is not functioning correctly
K49: Knows how to utilise different communication techniques

More information on the Standard is available here.

Skills (S) – The practical abilities developed through training and hands-on experience. These are the technical and transferable skills required for the job.

S1: Apply understanding of customer and business operations to inform decisions on product and service portfolio management.
S2: Selects and merchandises products that enhance the company brand image and product portfolio.
S3: Anticipates the need for products and ensures that the buying process enables their effective delivery to the customer
S4: Delivers and articulates supported recommendations regarding the introduction or withdrawal of a product and product range.
S5: Analyse and react to main influences on Buying and Merchandising plans, taking appropriate actions as a result.
S6: Leads the team to construct the key buying and merchandising objectives and plans for the specific product range to reach or exceed sales at forecasted levels.
S7: Makes appropriate managerial decisions to ensure the departmental approach to selecting products and services balances quality and commerciality
S8: Uses management -based monitoring procedures throughout the buying and merchandising process, taking account of legal and other requirements to ensuring product compliance is maintained.
S9: Critically evaluate and advocate opportunities presented by new technologies taking account of how they will impact on the product range, fulfilment and consumer behaviour.
S10: Analyses appropriate cost and income influences on buying and merchandising plans to make informed decisions
S11: Through their influence as a leader, looks to use digital opportunities to drive sales and profitability across all channels where appropriate
S12: Demonstrates how to negotiate in a manner that obtains the optimum outcome for the business
S13: Through their leadership and management of the team, demonstrates a strategic approach to the relationship with other departments.
S14: Anticipates potential problems and opportunities through the effective liaison at the appropriate level with other teams and functions.
S15: Critically reviews and revises plans and forecasts for the function, taking into account the latest trend analyses, to produce the range.
S16: Develops and implements a ‘People Plan’, that is effective in ensuring sufficient team capacity and capabilities to deliver on business objectives
S17: Demonstrates an effective leadership style in achieving the key business objectives.
S18: Ensure continuous personal and team development to enhance delivery
S19: By using data, analyse and predict the customer’s current and future needs and purchasing trends, including how the customer journey is impacted
S20: Using critical research, construct a customer engagement plan identifying the effective and profitable channels to market.
S21: Assesses and implements the relevant approach required from a buying and merchandising strategy, to take account of differing types of delivery channel, product and customer.
S22: Using critical research, construct a customer engagement plan identifying the effective channels to market.
S23: Work in partnership with the customer engagement team to achieve better outcomes for both existing and new customer groups.
S24: Analyses the key buying criteria to help shape the planned product range
S25: Critically evaluates the current and future methods of digital delivery, and anticipates customer changes in respect of the use of digital and Artificial Intelligence
S26: Being able to implement techniques such as business planning, pricing strategies, product design and product manufacturing to maximise sales and profitably
S27: Ensures that the organisation’s ethical and legal policies and procedures are monitored and adhered to by the team and suppliers.
S28: Anticipates the need for products and to ensure that the buying process enables their effective delivery to the customer
S29: Can articulate a supported recommendation regarding the introduction or withdrawal of a product and product range.
S30: Ensures compliance with company operating standards in the sourcing of range.
S31: Can identify when problems are likely to occur, and manage action required to resolve them.
S32: Effectively analyses the key buying criteria to help shape the planned product range for 3rd party products
S33: Has the ability to ensure that the right product is available at the right time, in the right place.
S34: Produces and delivers accurate forecasts which demonstrate creative and ambitious suggestions for future strategy
S35: Demonstrates customer insight in preparing forecasts
S36: Demonstrates the activities needed to ensure that the forecast is underpinned by financial considerations and business strategy.
S37: Ensures that the organisation’s ethical and legal policies and procedures are adhered to.
S38: Ensures that all team members operate within current legal guidance.
S39: Operates to, and ensures relevance of company operating standards
S40: Makes commercial decisions based on product, category and departmental performance
S41: Maximises every trading opportunity in order to deliver sound commercial outcomes for the organisation
S42: Using IT skills, develop strong spreadsheet and pivot table creation knowledge to enhance and optimize reporting and analysis data, so as to improve sales and profitability.
S43: Anticipates the need for products and ensures that the buying process enables their effective delivery to the customer
S44: Prepare executive level reports on current and forecasted performance, and using advanced presentation skills, ensure the communication of the outcomes is delivered in the most effective and profitable way.
S45: Effectively liaises with other key stakeholders to ensure a joined-up approach across the business.
S46: Delivers to the critical path plan in order to ensure that delivery deadlines are met, and that intakes meet stock levels
S47: Delivers timely and accurate forecasts to ensure that customer needs are met.
S48: Communicates directly with suppliers to ensure receipt of stock
S49: Demonstrate effective problem solving and time management skills, and an expert written and verbal communication style
S50: : Assess the impact that they have on key external relationships, and adjusts their style to ensure that they achieve maximum benefit for the business

Behaviours (B) – The professional attitudes and values expected in the workplace. These include teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and ethical responsibility.

B1: Acts as an ambassador for the buying and merchandising function and the business
B2: As a leader, Is resilient, responsible, commercially aware and takes the initiative
B3: Seeks opportunities to develop themselves and the team
B4: Builds relationships across the whole function and beyond.
B5: Is creative in their approach to the role

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Frequently Asked Questions

Off-the-job training is a mandatory requirement for all apprenticeships in the UK. It ensures that apprentices develop the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) outlined in their apprenticeship standard, beyond their day-to-day work duties.

How Much Off-the-Job Training is Required?
Apprentices must spend the equivalent of 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, which must take place during their normal working hours. This structured learning approach is designed to enhance their professional development and directly relate to their apprenticeship programme.

What Activities Count as Off-the-Job Training?
Off-the-job training can be delivered in various ways, including:
✔ Training sessions with Fareport – workshops, workbooks, online learning, and assignments
✔ Employer-led training – mentoring, job shadowing, and workplace projects
✔ Industry-related learning – attending relevant seminars, courses, or training events

This training can take place at the apprentice’s usual workplace or offsite, but it must always be completed within their normal working hours.

How is Off-the-Job Training Planned?
At Fareport Training, we work closely with employers and apprentices to plan and document off-the-job training within the Training Agreement. This ensures a structured learning journey that aligns with business needs while meeting apprenticeship requirements.

By dedicating time to off-the-job training, apprentices gain valuable knowledge and experience, helping them develop professionally and contribute more effectively to their workplace.

Fareport Training is an Ofsted ‘Good’ work-based training provider, delivering apprenticeships and commercial training to employers aiming to enhance their workforce’s skills and qualifications (indeed.com).

Established in 1981, Fareport has a longstanding reputation for high-quality training across various sectors.

Benefits of Partnering with Fareport:

Enhanced Skills and Productivity: Employers have reported that apprenticeships through Fareport help develop relevant skills, improve productivity, and enhance the quality of products or services.

Comprehensive Support: Fareport collaborates closely with employers to design high-quality teaching sessions tailored to business requirements, ensuring that apprentices gain substantial new knowledge, skills, and behaviors applicable to their roles (files.ofsted.gov.uk).

Employee Development and Retention: By investing in apprenticeships, employers can grow their own talent, leading to improved employee morale and loyalty.

Collaborating with Fareport Training enables organisations to effectively upskill their workforce, fostering growth and maintaining a competitive edge in their respective industries.

Yes, Fareport Training operate across all of England. You can undertake your training at your workplace and live online with our trainers.

An apprenticeship in the UK is a paid position that combines practical on-the-job training with academic learning, leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Typically, apprentices spend around 20% of their working hours on classroom, 1-2-1 or individual learning, while the remainder is dedicated to hands-on work experience. This structure allows individuals to earn a salary while gaining valuable skills and credentials in their chosen field. Apprenticeships are for new employees as well as existing employees.

As of November 2025, the UK apprentice minimum wage is £7.55 per hour for apprentices under 19 or in their first year.

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

Aged under 19
Aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.

No, you are only eligible to study our courses if you are living or working in England and meet all our eligibility criteria.

A career in buying and merchandising within the UK retail sector offers diverse opportunities, focusing on product selection, supplier negotiation, and market trend analysis. Professionals in this field are key to ensuring the right products reach consumers, balancing demand with profitability. Entry-level roles, such as junior buyers, typically start at £18,000 to £25,000 per year, with mid-level positions ranging from £45,000 to £70,000. Senior roles, like buying directors, can earn up to £120,000 annually, while retail merchandisers can expect salaries from £21,000 to £36,000. (The Scottish Sun, National Careers Service)
The sector is essential to the retail industry’s success, combining strategic planning with creative product selection. For individuals with strong analytical, negotiation, and organisational skills, buying and merchandising offers a rewarding career path with significant growth opportunities. (The Scottish Sun)

Apprenticeships in the UK offer a multitude of benefits for both individuals and employers.

For Individuals:
Earning While Learning: Apprentices receive a salary during their training, allowing them to gain work experience without incurring student debt (Moneyhelper).
Nationally Recognised Qualifications: Completing an apprenticeship provides credentials that are respected across industries, enhancing employability (MKCollege.ac.uk).
Practical Experience: Apprentices develop hands-on skills in real-world settings, making them valuable assets to employers (Apprenticeships.gov.uk).
Career Advancement: Many apprentices secure permanent positions post-training, with opportunities for further education and career progression (MKCollege.ac.uk).

For Employers:
Cost-Effective Recruitment: Apprenticeships can reduce hiring expenses by developing talent internally (FDMGroup.com).
Enhanced Employee Retention: Investing in apprenticeships often leads to higher staff loyalty and job satisfaction (Apprenticeships.gov.uk).
Addressing Skill Shortages: Tailored training ensures employees possess skills aligned with business needs (FDMGroup.com).
Diversity and Inclusion: Apprenticeships promote a varied workforce, enriching company culture and perspectives (Apprenticeships.gov.uk).

Overall, apprenticeships serve as a strategic approach to workforce development, benefiting both the apprentice and the employer.

Why Learn with Fareport Training?

Established in 1983, we’ve been helping people & businesses grow for over 40 years.

40+ Years’ Experience

Ranked in the top 25% of training providers inspected in England by Ofsted. Trusted by employers, councils & learners alike for over 40 years.

Expert Trainers

Our trainers are highly experienced professionals who bring real subject-based knowledge & skills to every session.

Career Support

We don’t just train you – with some of our courses we help you find work with CV support, interview coaching, and employer connections.

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I was looking to upskill in Cybersecurity when I came across Fareport Training. These guys (Thomas Curwen and Samantha Sibbick) are great at what they do. Thomas kept the class focused on the subjects and explained them in a way that everyone could understand. Class interaction was high and so was morale. For a 10 week course and a “FREE” exam, no one can grumble at it. The extra best part is, if you fail the first time, you get the retake for free.

Very pleased and lucky I found – and signed up for – the course. It’s given me the foundations to move forward with my business in a more strategic direction. Would highly recommend to any business owner.

The course content is directly aligned with the current trends and demands in the data analytics field. Each module built upon the previous one ensuring a smooth learning curve and in depth understanding of the concepts.

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