Product management and merchandising roles

The following product management and merchandising roles are supported by WebSphere Commerce:

The following table describes each role and the business model(s) each role can work within.

Role Description Business model(s)
Product ManagerThe Product Manager traces customer purchases, suggests discounts, and determines the best way to display, price, and sell products in the online store.
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct
Category ManagerThe Category Manager manages the financial success of a category of products. The Category Manager also manages the category hierarchy by creating, modifying, and deleting categories. The category hierarchy organizes products or services offered by the store. The Category Manager manages products, expected inventory records, vendor information, inventory, and return reasons.
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct
  • Business Edition onlyDemand chain 
  • Business Edition onlyHosting
  • Business Edition onlySupply chain 
Buyer (seller side)The Buyer buys merchandise for sale. The buyer handles relations with vendors or suppliers and negotiates to obtain the desired product with favorable terms for such things as delivery and payment options. The buyer may set prices. Inventory is managed by the buyer in order to determine the quantities to buy and ensure that stock is properly replenished.
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct

For information on the stores within the business models that each role can perform in, see the WebSphere Commerce Security Guide.