Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Marshalls Merchandise Associate

🎯 Role Definition

The Marshalls Merchandise Associate is an essential in-store team member responsible for daily merchandising, inventory accuracy, stocking, and delivering exceptionaI customer service. This role supports sales growth and operational excellence by maintaining floor presentation to Marshalls standards, executing price changes and markdowns, processing receipts and returns, and partnering with store leadership on loss prevention and safety. Ideal candidates are customer-focused, physically capable, detail-oriented, and able to work flexible retail hours including evenings and weekends.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Sales Associate / Cashier
Stockroom Associate / Backroom Coordinator
Seasonal Merchandising Assistant

Advancement To:

Department Supervisor / Lead Merchandise Associate
Assistant Store Manager (Operations or Merchandising)
Visual Merchandiser or Merchandise Planner

Lateral Moves:

Inventory Control / Receiving Specialist
Customer Experience Specialist
Pricing & Ticketing Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive, inspect, and process incoming shipments: verify counts, log discrepancies, and arrange fast and accurate backroom processing to ensure product availability on the sales floor.
Execute daily floor moves and replenishment to maintain on-shelf availability and planogram compliance, keeping merchandise face-forward, organized by size/color, and properly ticketed.
Build and maintain visual displays and promotional sets according to Marshalls brand standards and floor set directives to maximize conversion and impulse purchase opportunities.
Price, reprice, and apply markdowns to inventory using handheld scanners, POS terminals, and ticket guns while ensuring price integrity and clear signage for customers.
Accurately operate POS systems for transactions, returns, and exchanges; assist cashiers during peak periods to minimize customer wait times and protect cash handling procedures.
Support inventory accuracy through regular cycle counts, spot checks, and reconciliation of variance reports; escalate significant shrink or inventory discrepancies to management.
Unload trucks and move merchandise safely using hand trucks, pallet jacks, and approved lifting techniques while complying with store safety and OSHA guidelines.
Organize and maintain a tidy, accessible backroom and stockroom to improve pick/pack efficiency and reduce mispicks during replenishment.
Assist customers proactively with product location, sizing guidance, and styling suggestions, driving sales and improving customer satisfaction metrics.
Participate in weekly and seasonal floor sets, executing fixture moves, merchandising resets, and promotional transitions on schedule and within planogram guidelines.
Tag and ticket new merchandise accurately and consistently, verifying barcode readability and correct price displays to reduce transaction errors.
Collaborate with store leadership on inventory flow, replenishment priorities, and senior leadership-directed initiatives to support store KPIs and promotional goals.
Conduct safe handling and storage of hazardous materials and maintain compliance with store policies related to safety, sanitation, and loss prevention.
Communicate product shortages, high-demand items, and customer feedback to senior associates and store management to influence merchandise allocation.
Help implement markdown strategies and clearance events by pulling marked-down merchandise, updating signage, and ensuring clearance areas are well merchandised.
Train and mentor new merchandise associates on receiving procedures, ticketing, merchandising standards, and equipment use to ensure consistent team performance.
Execute daily opening or closing duties — floor recovery, visual reset, and security checks — to prepare the store for peak shopping periods and reduce theft risk.
Monitor and maintain store security measures by following loss-prevention procedures, reporting suspicious activity, and participating in shrink-reduction efforts.
Use handheld RF devices and inventory software to locate SKUs, complete picks for online orders or in-store pick-up, and log completed transactions accurately.
Support omni-channel operations by fulfilling BOPIS and ship-from-store tasks, ensuring orders are picked correctly, staged, and ready for customer pickup or shipment.
Adhere to company policies on returns, exchanges, and warranty handling while delivering a fair and consistent customer experience.
Engage in continuous improvement by participating in team meetings, sharing frontline insights, and suggesting operational efficiencies that reduce labor or inventory errors.

Secondary Functions

Assist store leadership with ad-hoc merchandising projects, seasonal planning, and competitor price checks to help shape in-store strategies.
Participate in quarterly inventory audits and collaborate with inventory control to implement corrective actions and training where patterns of shrink or miscounts are identified.
Contribute to customer promotions by setting signage, digital price tags, and staging promotional endcaps to ensure promotional compliance and maximize ROI.
Support community outreach or in-store events by preparing displays, reorganizing merchandise, and staffing event stations as needed.
Help maintain accurate documentation for damaged goods, returns to vendor, and disposal logs according to company procedures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Point-of-sale (POS) operation and cash handling accuracy.
Inventory management and cycle counting best practices.
Handheld scanner / RF device operation and barcode scanning proficiency.
Visual merchandising and planogram execution.
Price ticketing, markdown application, and clearance processing.
Basic forklift, pallet jack, or material handling equipment operation (where certified/required).
Basic arithmetic for pricing, discounts and inventory reconciliation.
Omni-channel order fulfillment (BOPIS / ship-from-store) processes.
Understanding of loss prevention basics and store security protocols.
Familiarity with retail scheduling systems and timekeeping software.
Basic Microsoft Excel or inventory reporting tools for simple counts and lists.

Soft Skills

Strong customer service orientation with active listening and solution-focused responses.
Clear verbal communication and ability to interact professionally with diverse customers and teammates.
Teamwork and collaboration: works cross-functionally to meet store goals and deadlines.
High attention to detail to prevent pricing errors, inventory variance, and merchandising inconsistencies.
Time management and prioritization in fast-paced, deadline-driven retail environments.
Physical stamina and manual dexterity: able to lift, bend, and stand for long shifts.
Adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing business needs and peak seasonal demands.
Problem-solving skills with the ability to escalate appropriately and follow-through to resolution.
Dependability and punctuality: reliable attendance and adherence to shift schedules.
Initiative and willingness to learn new processes, systems, and merchandising techniques.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or coursework in Business, Retail Management, Visual Merchandising, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Retail Management
Business Administration
Fashion Merchandising / Apparel Retail
Supply Chain or Logistics
Hospitality / Customer Service

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 3 years of retail or merchandising experience; entry-level candidates with strong customer service and physical capabilities are welcome.

Preferred:

1–2 years of merchandising, stockroom, or department-store experience; prior experience in off-price, discount, or high-volume retail (e.g., Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Ross, Burlington) is a plus.
Experience using handheld scanners, POS systems, executing floor sets, and participating in inventory audits is highly desirable.