What Does a Merchandiser Do?
A merchandiser plays a central role in ensuring that products are available, visible, and appealing to consumers at the point of sale. In retail or consumer goods environments, merchandisers plan, stock, and display items according to brand standards and sales strategies. They analyze sales data, track inventory levels, and coordinate with suppliers or store teams to execute promotional campaigns and optimize shelf space. Their work directly influences product turnover, customer satisfaction, and revenue performance.
Depending on the setting, merchandisers may work in the field, visiting retail locations to set up displays, monitor inventory, and rotate stock, or in corporate offices, where they manage assortment planning, pricing, and demand forecasting. Whether focusing on physical shelves or digital storefronts, merchandisers must balance visual appeal with strategic decision-making to drive consumer engagement and product movement.
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Merchandiser Core Responsibilities
- Ensure proper product placement, signage, and display compliance
- Track inventory levels and restock products as needed
- Monitor sales data to adjust stock levels or presentation strategies
- Collaborate with store staff, suppliers, or category managers
- Execute seasonal or promotional resets according to planograms
- Maintain brand standards for cleanliness, organization, and visual appeal
- Report store conditions, competitor activity, and out-of-stock issues
- Identify opportunities for product visibility and increased sales
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Knowledge of retail merchandising principles or planogram compliance
- Experience with inventory management or point-of-sale systems
- Familiarity with retail math and basic sales analytics
- Ability to lift, move, and organize product displays
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and spatial awareness
- Communication and coordination with store or vendor teams
- Time management, especially in multi-store or multi-brand roles
- Problem-solving and adaptability in fast-changing environments
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree in marketing, merchandising, or a related field is recommended
Certifications
- None required
- OSHA safety training or merchandising-specific certifications (e.g., NARMS) are recommended for some field roles
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of retail, stocking, or field merchandising experience
- Familiarity with handheld inventory devices or merchandising apps
- Experience executing store resets or planogram-based layouts
- Background in CPG, fashion, electronics, or seasonal merchandising
National Average Salary
Merchandiser salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Merchandiser is:
$46,555
Sample Job Description Templates for Merchandisers
Entry-Level Merchandiser
Position Overview
We are hiring an Entry-Level Merchandiser to support product presentation and inventory management in retail stores. This role involves executing planograms, stocking shelves, rotating inventory, and maintaining clean, visually appealing displays. It’s an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain retail or merchandising experience while learning the fundamentals of product placement and store execution.
Responsibilities
- Stock shelves and maintain merchandise displays according to brand and store standards
- Execute resets, endcaps, and promotional displays using provided planograms
- Ensure accurate product placement and pricing tags
- Rotate inventory to maintain product freshness and reduce shrink
- Communicate restocking needs or display issues to store personnel or supervisors
- Report store conditions, out-of-stocks, and merchandising activity
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic understanding of product stocking and shelf organization
- Ability to follow planograms and merchandising guides
- Comfortable using mobile apps or devices for reporting
Soft skills
- Reliability and strong time management
- Attention to detail in presentation and labeling
- Communication and teamwork in a retail environment
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous retail, stocking, or customer service experience is helpful but not required
Experienced Merchandiser
Position Overview
We are seeking an Experienced Merchandiser to oversee in-store product placement and execution across assigned retail locations. You will work independently or with teams to implement planograms, set up promotional displays, ensure product availability, and build strong relationships with store staff.
Responsibilities
- Execute merchandising resets and maintain in-store visual standards
- Monitor inventory levels and coordinate restocking or returns
- Build and maintain relationships with store managers and associates
- Identify and correct out-of-stocks, pricing discrepancies, or display issues
- Capture before-and-after photos and submit detailed reports
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of planogram implementation and retail display standards
- Familiarity with handheld reporting tools or merchandising software
- Physical ability to lift, stock, and move merchandise as needed
Soft skills
- Strong communication and store relationship-building
- Self-motivated with excellent time management
- Ability to troubleshoot and adapt to store-specific challenges
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Certifications
- None required
- Safety certification or merchandising training is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of field or retail merchandising experience
- Experience supporting resets for national brands or CPG clients
Lead Merchandiser
Position Overview
We are hiring a Lead Merchandiser to oversee merchandising teams during store resets, product launches, and seasonal updates. You’ll coordinate workflows, assign daily tasks, and serve as the on-site liaison between brand representatives, store management, and team members to ensure flawless execution of visual merchandising plans.
Responsibilities
- Lead store reset teams and ensure accurate planogram execution
- Train new merchandisers and monitor performance during shifts
- Communicate project scope, timeline, and expectations to team
- Submit status updates, inventory reports, and completion photos
- Coordinate with clients or supervisors on project feedback and adjustments
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in interpreting and executing complex planograms
- Ability to manage small teams and coordinate multi-day projects
- Strong understanding of display standards, safety, and compliance
Soft skills
- Leadership and team-building in high-paced environments
- Clear communication with internal teams and store personnel
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree is recommended
Certifications
- None required
- OSHA safety training or merchandising-specific leadership certifications are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–3 years of merchandising experience, including team leadership
- Experience coordinating store resets for multiple locations
Merchandising Supervisor
Position Overview
We are seeking a Merchandising Supervisor to manage merchandising teams across a territory or region. This role includes scheduling staff, tracking execution quality, and ensuring timely completion of projects such as new store openings, seasonal resets, or planogram compliance. The ideal candidate has strong leadership experience and a background in retail operations or visual merchandising.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and coach field merchandising teams across multiple stores
- Schedule staff and manage territory coverage to meet project timelines
- Perform site visits to audit merchandising execution and offer training
- Coordinate with brand reps, store management, and internal stakeholders
- Monitor compliance with visual standards, planograms, and safety procedures
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with territory scheduling, field team coordination, and reporting
- Proficiency with merchandising platforms and mobile reporting tools
- Strong understanding of retail merchandising metrics and KPIs
Soft skills
- Leadership, motivation, and performance management
- Strong multitasking and organizational abilities
- Professionalism in cross-functional communication
Education
- High school diploma required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in merchandising, business, or related field is recommended
Certifications
- None required
- Team management or retail operations certification is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of merchandising or retail management experience
- Prior experience supervising remote field teams or regional staff
Merchandising Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Merchandising Manager to lead the planning, execution, and performance tracking of merchandising strategies across a category, chain, or region. This corporate-level role involves data analysis, vendor coordination, promotional planning, and collaboration with marketing, supply chain, and store operations to drive product performance.
Responsibilities
- Develop merchandising strategies and seasonal product assortments
- Analyze sales data to inform inventory decisions and display optimization
- Collaborate with vendors on pricing, promotions, and product availability
- Oversee field execution through communication with merchandising leads
- Partner with marketing and operations to align store and online merchandising efforts
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong background in retail merchandising analytics and assortment planning
- Proficiency in retail planning tools, Excel, and inventory management systems
- Understanding of pricing strategy, planogram development, and sales forecasting
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership
- Analytical mindset with attention to performance trends
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in merchandising, marketing, business, or related field
Certifications
- None required
- Certifications in category management or retail analytics are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of merchandising experience, with 2+ years in a management role
- Experience working with multi-location retail chains or CPG accounts