Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Merchandising Representative

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a detail-oriented, self-motivated individual with a passion for creating impactful retail experiences? This role requires a dynamic Merchandising Representative to be the face of our brand at the store level. In this critical field-based role, you will be responsible for executing our merchandising strategy across a designated territory, ensuring our products are perfectly presented to drive sales and enhance brand visibility. You will cultivate strong relationships with retail partners, transform shelves into compelling sales drivers, and provide crucial insights from the field. If you thrive in an autonomous environment and enjoy seeing the direct results of your hard work, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your career in the retail and CPG industry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Sales Associate
Stock Team Member
Brand Ambassador
Visual Merchandiser

Advancement To:

Lead Merchandising Representative
District or Territory Sales Manager
Field Sales Representative
Merchandising Manager

Lateral Moves:

Account Coordinator
Sales Analyst
Visual Merchandising Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute all in-store merchandising activities according to detailed planograms, ensuring products are impeccably stocked, faced, and rotated to meet brand standards.
Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with store management and department personnel to facilitate optimal product placement and promotional opportunities.
Skillfully build and maintain eye-catching promotional displays, end caps, and secondary placements to maximize product visibility and drive impulse purchases.
Ensure all products are accurately priced and that all Point-of-Sale (POS) materials, signage, and shelf tags are current, correct, and properly installed.
Travel a dedicated route of retail stores, efficiently managing your time and schedule to ensure all locations receive consistent and timely service.
Conduct regular inventory checks, manage backstock, and communicate stock levels to prevent out-of-stocks and ensure a seamless supply chain.
Utilize company-provided mobile technology to accurately capture and report store-level data, including submitting photos, completing surveys, and documenting service visits.
Perform complete product resets and section revisions, working diligently to rearrange display areas to accommodate new items or seasonal changes.
Act as a brand ambassador by professionally representing the company and providing basic product knowledge to store staff and interested consumers.
Proactively identify and report on competitive activity, market trends, and potential opportunities for growth within your assigned territory.
Manage the return or disposal of damaged, discontinued, or expired products in accordance with company policies and retail partner procedures.
Negotiate for additional shelf space, better product positioning, and incremental display opportunities with store-level decision-makers.
Ensure a clean, organized, and safe working environment in the backroom and on the sales floor while performing all merchandising duties.
Communicate effectively with your District Manager, providing regular updates on store conditions, challenges, competitive threats, and successes.
Participate actively in team meetings, conference calls, and training sessions to stay informed on brand strategies, new products, and merchandising best practices.
Place reorders for products as needed to maintain optimal inventory levels, working within the store's ordering system or through approved company channels.
Audit store-level compliance with promotional programs and contractual agreements, ensuring our brand receives its agreed-upon marketing support.
Assist with the execution of new product launches, ensuring a flawless introduction to the market with immediate on-shelf presence and correct placement.
Resolve in-store issues and challenges promptly and professionally, demonstrating excellent problem-solving skills to maintain positive partner relationships.
Provide detailed feedback on the effectiveness of marketing materials and display concepts to help corporate marketing and sales teams refine future strategies.
Educate and train retail associates on key product features and benefits to empower them to recommend and sell our products more effectively.
Analyze basic sales data and service reports to identify underperforming stores or products and develop action plans to improve results.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis related to territory performance.
Contribute to regional discussions on merchandising strategy and execution improvements.
Collaborate with sales teams to align on in-store priorities and promotional execution.
Participate in local trade shows or retail events to represent the brand.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Planogram (POG) Interpretation & Execution: Ability to read and implement complex schematic diagrams for product placement.
Inventory Management: Expertise in stock counting, rotation (FIFO), and backstock organization.
Mobile Reporting Software: Proficiency with mobile apps for data entry, photo capture, and reporting.
POS/Marketing Material Installation: Skill in assembling and placing various in-store marketing and signage elements.
Route Planning & Management: Ability to efficiently plan and navigate a daily or weekly route of stores to maximize time.
Basic Sales Analysis: Understanding how to read sales reports to identify trends or issues at the store level.

Soft Skills

Relationship Building: Proven ability to develop and maintain positive professional relationships with store personnel and management.
Exceptional Attention to Detail: A keen eye for placement, pricing, and brand standards to ensure flawless execution.
Time Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills to manage a dynamic schedule, multiple locations, and competing priorities.
Independent & Autonomous Work Ethic: A self-starter who can work effectively with minimal direct supervision in a field environment.
Verbal & Written Communication: Ability to clearly communicate with store contacts, peers, and management, both in person and electronically.
Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Capacity to think on your feet and adapt to unexpected challenges or changing store conditions.
Persuasion & Influence: Confidence to professionally negotiate for better product placement and support.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.
Must possess a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle, and proof of insurance.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Business Administration
Marketing
Retail Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in retail, merchandising, or a related customer-facing field.

Preferred:

Experience in a CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) or big-box retail environment.
Prior experience working in an autonomous, field-based role.
Demonstrated history of successfully managing a territory or route.