Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Merchandising Manager
A Merchandising Manager is a professional who is responsible for managing the merchandising activities of a business. They develop and implement merchandising strategies, analyze sales data, forecast sales and inventory levels, and manage product assortments. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Merchandising Managers.
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Main Responsibilities of Merchandising Manager
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Merchandising Manager:
Act
Act in alignment to the brand's culture, products, image and target market.
Adjust
Adjust plans as required to support specific priorities, issues and specific store problems.
Agree
Agree and place the unit buy at line level, where appropriate.
Agree purchasing plans with the Buying and Merchandising and Finance Directors.
Analyze
Analyze and recommend actions to Merchandising Manager.
Analyze selling reports to execute stock movements and balance sales vs stock ratios by store.
Approve
Approve the reno / new application according the standard process.
Assist
Assist in minimizing loss of company assets.
Assist in the creation and execution of the overall channel strategy for campaigns and promotions.
Assist in the hiring and training of additional eCommerce Team Members.
Assist in the planning and implementation of Retail / Special Events and Trade Shows when necessary.
Assist store in meeting or exceeding credit card acquisition goals.
Assist store in meeting or exceeding sales objectives.
Assist with 2D Visual Merchandising needs.
Build
Build collaborative relationships.
Build effective relationships with all stakeholders including.
Build partnerships with members of the cross-functional team.
Build trust-based relationships across boundaries and encourages collaboration.
Catalogue
Catalogue and maintain photo files of seasonal theme window and other concept displays.
Challenge
Challenge opportunities to improve sales performance.
Coach
Coach and mentor the eCommerce Visual Merchandising Team.
Coach and well-training internal & external stakeholders.
Communicate
Communicate and report eCommerce category performance and financial results.
Communicate frequently new product arrivals and business trends.
Complete
Complete frequent competition reviews and communicate observations to buyer.
Conduct
Conduct business reviews with key decision makers.
Conduct post-mortem analysis to inform future buying decisions.
Conduct regular store visits based on business needs.
Conduct sales plan reviews with regional and worldwide planning teams.
Coordinate
Coordinate and manage local suppliers on new developed PLV, set-up schedule and production.
Coordinate daily activities across designated departments to facilitate responsibilities.
Coordinate photo shoots and manage organization of images and all assets.
Coordinate with Inventory Planning on delivery checks and newness allocation.
Coordinate with inventory planning to define the rules for stock distribution of newness and carry.
Create
Create monthly e-commerce reporting for key KPIs to stakeholders.
Create the promotional and advertising strategy for your category.
Deliver
Deliver both qualitative and quantitative feedback.
Develop
Develop a go-to-market strategy based on strategic plans by category.
Develop, agree and define a seasonal / yearly trading plan delivering the agreed sales and profit.
Develop an assortment plan to maximize financial goals and opportunities.
Develop and manage the visual merchandising strategy for each markets.
Develop and manage vendor relationships.
Develop a strategy to launch new categories and items.
Develop cross market e-commerce best practice with key learnings.
Develop ecommerce promotion material, display banners, coupon offers, recipes, partner materials.
Develop 'go-to-market' launch plans for new products that achieve defined business objectives.
Develop partnerships with regional retail team to ensure the specific needs of each market are met.
Drive
Drive conversation through onsite search optimisation.
Ensure
Ensure all compliance standards are met.
Ensure consistent execution of standard operating procedures.
Ensure integrity of order information and buying tools.
Ensure measurement and strategies are deployed to meet KPIs.
Ensure merchandise and store standards are followed.
Ensure presence at key partnered and free-standing store preparation and openings.
Ensure regular site walks are carried out to ensure 100% accuracy at all times.
Ensure stock coherence to present Brand image.
Ensure target cost of goods are met for all launches in all channels.
Ensure that all merchandising aligns with Moen's global brand standards.
Ensure that all orders are placed in line with forecasts given.
Ensure that all products are accurately reflected online to optimize the customer experience.
Ensure timely workflow and communication of project status to all stakeholders.
Evaluate
Evaluate sales potential by event / store to define the open-to-buy split at store level.
Execute
Execute across multiple territories.
Execute store opening assortments and stock levels for new stores / refurbishments / floor moves.
Facilitate
Facilitate new product needs by working closely with the Production and Finance teams.
Follow
Follow Company policies and procedures to control inventory.
Follow up
Follow up on activity with partners in terms of visibility, promotions and marketing effect.
Forecast
Forecast profits / sales and plan budgets.
Forecast reorder opportunities to replenish stock and keep sales momentum.
Formulate
Formulate Stock Objectives to support sales.
Gather
Gather field feedback and correlate with sales data trends to make informed merchandising decisions.
Guarantee
Guarantee the coordination of the image (through the buy) in the region and by store.
Handle
Handle special product / animation window design proposal and installations.
Help
Help clarify assortments and product buying strategies to store teams.
Help highlight important product information.
Help highlight important product information to store teams.
Identify
Identify low stock levels on key items and make recommendations to fill in and re-order styles.
Implement
Implement action plans to maximize efficiencies and productivity.
Implement assortment strategies according to sales turnover / forecast, and competition.
Increase
Increase Revenue or Lower Cost?.
Initiate
Initiate price changes.
Input
Input considerations in website redesign, working closely with Product Owner, UX, UI teams.
Lead
Lead ad-hoc projects assigned by line manager.
Lead, coach and develop direct reports and support their own management development and challenges.
Lead, coach and motivate the team to deliver exceptional results.
Lead Merchandising team through setting clear objectives and effective performance management.
Lead team to achieve store goals and objectives.
Lead the development / refinement of Merchandise strategies, guidelines and standards.
Lead the strategy and execution of all merchandising initiatives for our retail stores.
Lead the vision and strategy of visual merchandising in any cross functional initiative.
Lead trade reporting to include sales, margin and stock covers as input to commercial updates.
Leverage
Leverage omni-channel to deliver a frictionless customer experience.
Leverage traditional merchandising and emerging technology to create an optimal experience.
Liaise with
Liaise with relevant parties to provide necessary display concept, PLV proposal and VM Plan.
Maintain
Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism.
Maintain and track Monthly Assets and Launch.
Maintain a safe and secure store environment.
Maintain business control requirements including inventory and sales reporting accuracy.
Maintain partnerships amongst cross functional teams by sharing data, information and strategy.
Manage
Manage all aspects of the Amazon seller account.
Manage and develop global assets for ecommerce retail and food service.
Manage and develop intake flow processes to hit monthly forecasts, drive sales and minimise risks.
Manage and develop the Ecommerce Merchandising team.
Manage and monitor annual Merchandising budget for capital and expenses.
Manage and support members of the team to progress and develop within the merchandising function.
Manage diverse teams to meet store goals.
Manage Fulfillment of Merchandising for big box, co-op, showroom, builder and dealers.
Manage key performance indicators of the category including sales, profit, market share.
Manage multiple projects at a time.
Manage teams' time effectively to meet deadlines.
Manage the in-store installation process via a 3rd party vendor to insure timely updates.
Manage the national operation budget for projects.
Manage the store floor layouts process, and support in the facilitation of any agreed floor moves.
Maximize
Maximize customer interest and sales levels by displaying products appropriately.
Minimize
Minimize stock holding by accurately forecasting orders across all ranges.
Mitigate
Mitigate all errors on website and scrub constantly for integrity and accuracy.
Monitor
Monitor category business in order to maximize business priorities / opportunities.
Monitor category business to maximize business priorities / opportunities.
Monitor event set up and decoration elements.
Monitor stock movement and consider markdowns, promotions, price changes, clear outs etc.
Monitor stock rotation and discontinued stock levels.
Monitor stores' opening display and provide the on-site training for store staffs.
Monitor travel expenses and budgets related to custom creative projects.
Optimize
Optimize sales volume and profitability.
Oversee
Oversee processing of outbound merchandise transfers and returns to vendors (RTV).
Oversee the upload and removal process of products onsite.
Oversee vendor relationships and creation of designs, drawings, and renderings.
Own
Own assigned area of responsibility.
Participate
Participate and collaborate with the local store teams on product knowledge.
Perform
Perform all other tasks as assigned by a manager.
Perform Service Leader duties.
Plan
Plan and develop merchandising strategies that balance customers' expectations and company' s.
Plan and execute promotional strategies to maximize revenue and achieve gross margin targets.
Prepare
Prepare final selling reports for buy prep.
Process
Process and maintain on order buys for E-commerce Direct to Consumer.
Produce
Produce ad-hoc and post event analysis of all site key activities, identifying actionable insights.
Provide
Provide adhoc reporting as needed by the Merchandising Manager.
Provide direction to planogram group for ongoing maintenance of layouts.
Provide information and maintain communication.
Provide leadership and day to day management for the Merchandising team.
Provide necessary buying information to help facilitate implementation of strategies.
Provide post campaign website performance reporting when required.
Provide product recaps for new & existing skus / categories.
Provide recommendation on and approve replenishment PLV orders.
Provide strategic input for visual set-ups in order to positively impact business.
Provide training and development to empower associates.
Receive
Receive and check in merchandise.
Recruit
Recruit, hire and develop highly productive Brand Associate and Expert teams.
Rectify
Rectify any discrepancies to ensure replenishment plan in line with needs.
Remain
Remain up to date with industry best practices and incorporate them into company strategy.
Represent
Represent Channel Marketing in cross functional meetings and within the organization.
Represent the brand and understand the competition and retail landscape.
Resolve
Resolve employee relations issues and supports diversity.
Review
Review and amend any required stock intake against forecasts and targets.
Review and update weekly special signage.
Review the supplier mix, where appropriate, to ensure it maximises profit potential.
Run
Run registers / POS terminals and checkout processes.
Schedule
Schedule executive coverage to effectively support the selling process.
Secure
Secure strong implementation and presence at our partners ecommerce platforms.
Seek
Seek all opportunities to improve in-store customer experience and increase sales.
Seek out best-of-class store presentations to develop a network of ideas and solutions.
Seek regular feedback from Store Managers, Commercial Managers and Marketing team.
Share
Share monthly feedback to the corporate demand planning team.
Summarize
Summarize the merchandising guideline and keep update.
Supervise
Supervise the merchandising of the selling floor to corporate visual presentation standards.
Support
Support and participate in in-store activities and events to increase customer loyalty.
Support new store openings by ensuring successful set up of our retail environment.
Support regional teams with training of new managers for new stores.
Track
Track bill of materials and SKU creation.
Track emails deployed and performance.
Train
Train and guide boutique staff on company standards and guidelines.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot and provide solutions for efficiencies.
Understand
Understand where economies of scale can be exploited.
Update
Update and maintain stock levels based on fill in needs and availability.
Work with
Work closely with Marketing, Creative and Brand teams to curate products as required.
Work closely with the inventory team to manage inventory requirements and overall inventory plan.
Work closely with the Trade team and Commercial teams on new product go to market plans.
Work closely with Visual Merchandising and Retail.
Work on reorders to take from corporate bulk.
Work together on new launch strategies to secure newness launches.
Work with designer, suppliers, and manufacturers to introduce a technical apparel line.
Work with in-house team and 3rd party vendors to gather relevant product content.
Work with key stakeholders across the business on delivering Commercial and wider business goals.
Work with related parties to optimize lead-time as much as possible.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Merchandising Manager:
Retail Management
Merchandising
Business
Retail
Visual Merchandising
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Merchandising Manager:
Written and oral communication skills
Leadership
Organizational capacity
Detail-oriented
Confidence in fast paced environments
Keen sense of style
Sense of style
Strategic mind
Analytical ability
Interpersonal skills
Attention to detail
Creative
Communicate impactfully
Decision-making
Presentation
