Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Execution and reliability
35% weight
Check how they raise and track purchase orders in systems like SAP, Oracle Retail or NetSuite: order accuracy, critical path dates, sample chasing, and delivery follow-up with suppliers.
Evidence to listen for
Describes a workload they owned and how they kept it from slipping
Names the tools and systems they ran day to day
Can talk about volume: tickets, inboxes, orders, uptime
Nothing quietly falls through when they are busy
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot describe their own workload; things slip without them noticing.
2
Needs Improvement
Handles routine volume; drops work under pressure.
3
Satisfactory
Reliable on steady-state work; struggles when volume spikes.
4
Very Good
Consistently reliable at real volume with a system for staying on top.
5
Excellent
Names the ERP or PLM used, cites order volumes handled weekly, and describes a critical path they kept on schedule.
02
Evaluation factor
Improving the process
25% weight
Probe for changes they made to line sheets, supplier onboarding packs or WSSI updates: what was manual before, what they automated or standardised, and time saved.
Evidence to listen for
Has changed a process rather than only following one
Can name what was slow or error-prone and what they did about it
Documents so the improvement survives them
Knows when a process is worth automating and when it is not
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Follows instructions only; no sense that process can change.
2
Needs Improvement
Notices problems but escalates rather than solving.
3
Satisfactory
Makes small improvements; impact is local and undocumented.
4
Very Good
Has redesigned a real process with measurable effect.
5
Excellent
Points to a specific template, tracker or reorder routine they rebuilt, with a measurable reduction in errors or admin hours.
03
Evaluation factor
Judgement and autonomy
25% weight
Test decisions made without the buyer present: handling a late shipment, a failed quality check, a markdown call, or reallocating stock between stores.
Evidence to listen for
Knows what to decide alone and what to escalate
Handles an exception without freezing or improvising recklessly
Protects confidentiality and access appropriately
Asks a clarifying question rather than guessing on something costly
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Either escalates everything or acts recklessly on their own.
2
Needs Improvement
Needs frequent direction; uneasy with exceptions.
3
Satisfactory
Sound judgement on familiar decisions.
4
Very Good
Clear sense of their own authority; handles exceptions well.
5
Excellent
Describes a judgement call with cost or margin at stake, states the escalation threshold they applied, and owns the outcome.
04
Evaluation factor
Communication
15% weight
Assess how they brief suppliers, negotiate small cost or MOQ changes, and present sales and stock figures to buyers, merchandisers and warehouse teams.
Evidence to listen for
Writes clearly enough that people act without a follow-up
Manages expectations before a deadline slips, not after
Handles a frustrated colleague or customer calmly
Works across time zones or async where the role needs it
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Unclear written communication; goes quiet when things slip.
2
Needs Improvement
Communication needs chasing; raises problems late.
3
Satisfactory
Clear enough day to day; proactive updates are inconsistent.
4
Very Good
Clear, proactive, and calm under pressure.
5
Excellent
Gives clear supplier email and call examples, and summarises weekly trade numbers crisply for both commercial and logistics audiences.
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