EAN (European Article Number)
EAN is a standardized barcode system widely used in retail and e-commerce to identify products uniquely. Think of it as a product's 'digital fingerprint' that helps track items through the entire sales process. While it started in Europe (hence the name), it's now used globally and is essentially the same as UPC (Universal Product Code) used in North America. Today, people often use the terms EAN, GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), or simply 'barcode' to refer to the same thing. It's crucial for inventory management, sales tracking, and ensuring products are correctly listed on online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
Examples in Resumes
Managed product catalog of 10,000+ items including EAN and GTIN implementation
Streamlined inventory tracking system using EAN barcodes across multiple warehouses
Led migration of legacy product database to new system with proper EAN encoding
Typical job title: "Product Data Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Product Data Managers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you implement an EAN system across multiple international markets?
Expected Answer: Should discuss understanding of different regional requirements, migration strategies from existing systems, team training needs, and quality control measures to ensure accurate product identification across markets.
Q: What strategies would you use to maintain data quality in a large product database with EANs?
Expected Answer: Should mention automated validation systems, regular auditing processes, staff training programs, and procedures for handling exceptions or errors in product coding.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure EAN codes are correctly synchronized across different sales channels?
Expected Answer: Should explain processes for maintaining consistent product data across platforms, checking for duplicates, and resolving discrepancies between systems.
Q: What's your process for handling products that come without EAN codes?
Expected Answer: Should describe procedures for obtaining correct codes, working with suppliers, and implementing temporary solutions while maintaining inventory accuracy.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is an EAN and why is it important in e-commerce?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that EAN is a standardized product identification system and its basic importance in inventory tracking and sales management.
Q: How do you verify if an EAN is valid?
Expected Answer: Should know basic validation methods, including checking the number of digits and using simple verification tools or websites.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of product coding systems
- Data entry and validation
- Use of inventory management software
- Basic product catalog maintenance
Mid (2-5 years)
- Multiple sales channel management
- Bulk data processing
- Integration with e-commerce platforms
- Supplier coordination
Senior (5+ years)
- International retail systems
- Team management
- Process optimization
- Cross-platform integration strategies
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic product identification concepts
- Lack of attention to detail in data entry
- No experience with inventory management systems
- Unable to explain the importance of consistent product coding
Related Terms
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