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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Retail Beverage Service Merchandiser

💰 $30,000 - $55,000

RetailMerchandisingBeverageField Services

🎯 Role Definition

The Retail Beverage Service Merchandiser is a field-facing retail professional responsible for executing in-store beverage programs, maintaining product presentation and availability, and driving sales through superior merchandising, inventory control, and retail execution. This role combines physical stocking and display building with data-driven inventory reporting, relationship management with store personnel, and adherence to safety and quality standards to ensure the brand's presence and performance across assigned retail accounts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Retail Stock Associate / Shelf Stocker
  • Route Delivery Driver
  • Grocery / Convenience Store Clerk

Advancement To:

  • Senior Merchandiser / Lead Merchandiser
  • Route or District Supervisor / Route Manager
  • Retail Sales Representative or Account Manager
  • Category Merchandising Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Analyst (Retail Operations)
  • Visual Merchandising or Display Coordinator
  • Customer Success / Key Account Support

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute and maintain planograms, shelf sets, and promotional displays for beverage SKUs on assigned routes, ensuring layout, spacing, and brand presentation match company standards and drive impulse purchase behavior.
  • Replenish shelves, cold boxes, coolers, and floor displays across multiple retail locations each visit, managing product rotation (FIFO), date code checks, and merchandising integrity to minimize shrink and ensure freshness.
  • Conduct daily route visits to assigned stores, following a scheduled route plan to maximize product availability and fulfill pre-planned restocking and display builds within allotted time windows.
  • Monitor in-store inventory levels using handheld devices or mobile apps; create and submit accurate replenishment orders, out-of-stock reports, and promotional execution confirmations in real time.
  • Build and reset promotional endcaps, gondola displays, and cross-merchandise displays for seasonal campaigns, new product launches, and in-store promotions to achieve distribution and display KPIs.
  • Maintain and service refrigerated equipment and coolers (cleaning, temperature verification, light replacement), escalating maintenance or repair needs to store managers or the operations team to protect product integrity.
  • Verify pricing accuracy, shelf tags, and POS signage; update price labels and promotional signage promptly to maintain compliance with retailer agreements.
  • Track product returns, overstocks, and damaged goods; document shortages and returns according to company procedures to support inventory reconciliation and chargebacks.
  • Meet or exceed weekly and monthly distribution, display, and sales targets by executing compelling in-store merchandising and prioritizing high-velocity SKUs.
  • Build and maintain professional relationships with store managers, assistant managers, and buying teams to negotiate display placement, secure promotional opportunities, and ensure timely resolution of operational issues.
  • Conduct routine merchandising audits and compliance checks to validate brand standards, promotional participation, and planogram adherence; document findings and recommend corrective actions.
  • Load and unload product safely from route vehicles, using proper lifting and material-handling techniques to reduce workplace injuries and ensure timely store replenishment.
  • Capture photographic evidence of completed sets, stocks, and displays and attach to store visit reports for validation, audit trails, and remote coaching.
  • Execute new-product introductions by placing launch displays, sampling materials (where applicable), and promotional collateral while educating store staff on product features and merchandising priorities.
  • Manage route-level paperwork and digital logs including delivery receipts, store visit checklists, and completed call metrics to maintain accurate operational records.
  • Coordinate with logistics and warehouse teams to report inventory discrepancies, missed deliveries, or urgent restock needs, helping to reduce out-of-stock situations at high-volume accounts.
  • Enforce vendor and retailer safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements including safe food handling, HACCP basics, and store-specific policies while working in customer-facing environments.
  • Participate in sales and strategy meetings with territory managers to communicate field intelligence, customer feedback, competitor activity, and merchandising opportunities that inform promotional planning.
  • Train new merchandisers and temporary staff on safe handling, planogram execution, route best practices, and company systems to ensure consistent field performance and brand presentation.
  • Handle cash, invoices, and cash reconciliation (if applicable) responsibly and in accordance with company policies, documenting transactions and reporting discrepancies immediately.
  • Respond to customer service issues raised by store staff or shoppers (missing inventory, damaged product, cooler failures), coordinate swift remediation, and follow up until the issue is resolved.
  • Analyze simple POS and in-field sales data to prioritize daily tasks, focusing time on stores and SKUs with the highest opportunity for redistributing stock and boosting sales.
  • Maintain professional appearance, punctuality, and route discipline; continuously review route efficiency to optimize store visit sequences and reduce travel time and cost.
  • Adhere to loss-prevention best practices, including securing high-value items, documenting inventory variances, and following store-specific theft prevention protocols.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with ad hoc retail projects such as large-scale resets, seasonal transitions, or store remodel support that require additional manpower or specialized display builds.
  • Support merchandising leadership by compiling store-level observations and trend notes that feed into category management and promotional planning.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting more efficient stocking methods, packaging changes, or display innovations based on field experience.
  • Facilitate basic training sessions for store staff on proper shelf placement, promotional execution, and consumer-facing product information to maximize sell-through.
  • Aid in validating weekly promotional effectiveness by collecting sell-through data, photographic evidence, and anecdotal feedback from front-line store personnel.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Planogram execution and visual merchandising: ability to accurately interpret and build planograms, reset displays, and create high-impact endcaps.
  • Inventory management and stock replenishment: experienced with FIFO rotation, date-code checks, and handling merchandise returns.
  • Route management and logistics: scheduling, route optimization, and on-time completion of assigned store visits.
  • Handheld/mobile device proficiency: experienced using route management apps, inventory scanners, and mobile reporting tools.
  • Point-of-sale (POS) and price label maintenance: updating shelf tags, verifying pricing accuracy, and recording POS discrepancies.
  • Refrigeration and cooler maintenance basics: temperature monitoring, basic troubleshooting, and escalation for repairs.
  • Basic data entry and reporting: accurate completion of digital store visit reports, order entries, and compliance documentation.
  • Merchandising tools and material handling: proficient with dollies, hand trucks, ladders, pallet jacks (where applicable), and safety harnesses.
  • Regulatory and food safety awareness: knowledge of safe food handling, product handling guidelines, and store sanitation best practices.
  • Cash handling and invoice reconciliation (where required): safe custody and accurate reporting of route-level transactions.

Soft Skills

  • Customer-centric communication: build rapport with store staff and internal partners to secure prime merchandising space and resolve issues.
  • Attention to detail: precise placement of SKUs, accurate price verification, and meticulous documentation to reduce chargebacks and non-compliance.
  • Time management and organization: prioritize tasks across multiple stores and balance speed with quality of execution.
  • Problem-solving and initiative: escalate and resolve field issues proactively to minimize out-of-stocks and protect sales.
  • Physical stamina and reliability: ability to perform manual repetitive tasks, lift product safely, and maintain consistent route attendance.
  • Teamwork and collaboration: work effectively with route peers, warehouse, sales, and retail operations teams to ensure program success.
  • Adaptability and flexibility: adjust to changing retailer requirements, promotional schedules, and route disruptions.
  • Sales mindset: identify upsell and merchandising opportunities that increase product distribution and incremental sales.
  • Accountability and integrity: dependable execution of duties, honest reporting, and responsible handling of company property.
  • Conflict resolution: diplomatically manage disagreements with store personnel or customers to maintain productive business relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Some college coursework or vocational training in retail management, logistics, or supply chain fundamentals.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Retail Management
  • Supply Chain / Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Hospitality or Food Service (for positions involving sampling or food safety)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years in retail merchandising, grocery stocking, route delivery, or related field service roles for entry-level positions.
  • 2–5 years preferred for lead or senior merchandiser roles, particularly with beverage or CPG experience.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in beverage or CPG merchandising, grocery or convenience store environments, route-based replenishment, or retail promotion execution.
  • Valid driver's license with clean driving record; ability to operate company vehicles and pass onboarding safety checks.
  • Certifications a plus: ServSafe or equivalent food handling, OSHA or workplace safety training, forklift certification (for warehouse-adjacent roles).

Keywords: Retail Beverage Service Merchandiser, beverage merchandising, planogram, route merchandising, inventory management, cold box replenishment, retail execution, display builds, out-of-stock prevention, retail compliance, CPG merchandising, sales growth.

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