Careers in Merchandising
Merchandising
Merchandising is one of the key functions within retail and is usually one of the biggest head office departments within major retail companies and department stores. Buyers, who are also based at head office, select the ranges, then the merchandisers order, rotate and display the stocks whilst monitoring demand and sales. A merchandiser is always careful to order the correct volumes and set the correct process to maximize the retailers profit. Outside of head office merchandisers also liaise with store managers and external suppliers and manufacturers.
Opportunities for merchandisers with structured career paths exist within high street retailers, supermarkets, mail order companies, internet businesses and some suppliers. Most applicants will have a degree, although this does not need to be fashion or textile related numerical skills and commercial awareness are more important.
Larger retail companies have structured training schemes for merchandisers. This training will be a mixture of internal and external courses and on-the-job development with the help of your manager or mentor. As a merchandisers career progresses into management the role develops in terms of bigger categories and managing up-and-coming merchandisers.
A typical career path in Merchandising
Trainee Merchandiser - £13,000 to £18,000 You will be required to assist the Merchandise function in optimising the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas. Key responsibilities will include preparation stock management documentation, maintaining internal systems, managing the intake of stock and analysing data. This role would suit a graduate with good numerical and analytical ability.
Assistant Merchandiser - £18,000 to £25,000 You will be required to assist the Merchandiser directly in optimising the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas. Key responsibilities include many of the responsibilities of the Trainee Merchandiser as well as assisting in the preparation of budgets, OTB (Open To Buy) and re-forecasting core stock lines. Also involved in reviewing forward sales, stock, and mark-down levels with regular store visits. c:a 18 months experience as a Trainee Merchandiser is required for this role.
Merchandiser / Senior Merchandiser - £25,000 to £45,000 + car The primary objective of this role is to optimise the profitability of designated product areas along with the training and development of Trainee and Assistant Merchandisers. Responsibilities include preparation of seasonal buying plans, setting stock management KPIs (key performance indicators) with the Buyer and creating a Range Planning framework to ensure product delivery and store replenishment is delivered. Most Merchandisers will have done at least 3 years as a Trainee and Assistant Merchandiser.
Merchandising Manager - £45,000 to £75,000 + car The Merchandise Managers role is to maximise divisional in-season profitability by setting financial targets and management of in-season forecasts via the implementation of trading group and divisional strategies. Additional responsibilities include full accountability for In-season Management, Supplier Management (agreeing the supplier base with the Buying teams) and People Management. Most Merchandise Managers have at least 5 years experience as a Merchandiser / Senior Merchandiser.
Merchandising Director - £70,000 to £100,000 + car The Merchandise Director has full strategic and budgetary responsibility for all aspects of product merchandising, allocations, branch merchandising and, in some cases, imports. Often a Board Member, the Merchandising Director is accountable for the entire merchandising function including range planning, terminal stock management, WSSI (Weekly Stock and Sales Intake) management and margin control.
Typical job responsibilities Merchandising
• Forecasting sales
• Planning the product range with the buying team
• Liaising with buyers, store managers, distributors and suppliers
• Visiting manufacturers, stores and suppliers
• Setting budgets using figures and forecasts new ranges
• Identifying promotional needs and opportunities
• Pricing decisions, i.e., identifying best sellers and underperforming lines needing mark-downs
• Managing stock distribution across the company and with suppliers
• Managing, motivating, training and developing staff
• Managing the overall performance of a range / category
