A college degree is not always necessary to become an allocation analyst, but experience in merchandising is important. A degree in business, merchandising, or communications can be helpful, as well as pursuing internships and gaining hands-on experience. Good communication skills, knowledge of industry trends, and a professional appearance are also important traits. Working within a firm can also lead to becoming an allocation analyst over time.
A college degree can be helpful, though not always necessary, in becoming an allocation analyst. Experience in merchandising is also important. Some employers may prefer to recruit from existing staff who have experience with their specific protocols and procedures. It may be possible to rise through the ranks at a specific company to become an allocation analyst and take those skills to another company in the event of a competing job offer.
People who want to earn a degree should consider an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a subject such as business, merchandising, or communications. While in school, it may be possible to pursue an internship at a major retailer to gain real allocation analyst experience under the direction of qualified staff. As well as giving people formal training that can help them establish a career, this also creates connections that can be useful in an application to become an allocation analyst.
With a degree, it may be possible to apply to a retailer’s allocation department to gain hands-on experience. This may include overseeing a varying number of stores and departments over time as people develop more competence. As vacancies become available, candidates can determine if they have enough experience to fill the vacancy; retailers can apply for between two and five years of retail experience, with a focus on allocation analysis.
Another option for someone who wants to become an allocation analyst but doesn’t want to pursue formal education is to work within the ranks of a firm. This can start with merchandising and coordinating at an individual store before applying for regional and national headquarters positions over time. It may take a little longer to become an allocation analyst this way, but people will earn money from the job as they move forward and won’t have to consider the cost of education as they pursue their careers.
In addition to training and experience, it can help to demonstrate competence with some specific traits that employers may look for in a candidate. Good communication skills are important as an allocation analyst needs to communicate with a variety of employees. It can also help to understand industry trends and developments, as these can play a role in what customers are looking for and which stores will need which types of products. Maintaining a professional and organized appearance is also critical, as allocation analysts regularly interact with vendors and customers.
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