What does a field merchandiser do?
A field merchandiser is in charge of distributing and selling a company's products in retail stores and similar establishments. Their responsibilities include offering products and services to customers, devising sales strategies, developing sales programs and promotions, and maintaining a clear and active communication line with retailers. They must also arrange product displays to attract customers, remove damaged or expired goods, and even conduct product demonstrations. Moreover, a field merchandiser must produce regular sales and progress reports, coordinating with managers should there be any problems.
Field merchandiser responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real field merchandiser resumes:
- Diagnose production problem and work with suppliers to present alternatives to both parties to achieve KPI (key performance indicator).
- Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
- Insure proper POS placement and product merchandising of Epson printers, projectors, scanners, inks and papers.
- Maintain proper inventory levels and ensure proper placement of POS materials.
- Disassemble and construct wine and spirit departments for key accounts following detail product schematics.
- Analyze click-through and conversion rates and other online KPI's utilizing Coremetrics.
- Establish WIP for client and follow progress and stage with each affiliate factories.
- Assist outside vendor merchandisers (NIKE) with execution of planograms.
Field merchandiser skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Field Merchandisers are proficient in Sales Floor, Store Management, and Store Associates. They’re also known for soft skills such as Selling skills, Math skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Field Merchandisers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sales Floor, 26%
Replenished product on sales floor as required per merchandising guidelines, maintained pricing and signing and restocked merchandise as needed.
- Store Management, 24%
Develop professional relationships with all levels of store management and communicate concerns and recommendations.
- Store Associates, 13%
Maintain inventory presence by correcting inventory quantities and working with store associates to ensure consistent replenishment and no sale resolutions.
- Plan-O-Grams, 11%
Implemented a plan-o-gram, installation of security fixtures, maintain professionalism and good customer relations.
- Customer Service, 6%
Provided quality customer service through regular interaction, conflict resolution and communications with store managers, owners and employees.
- End Caps, 6%
Arranged for special promotional displays (end caps, shadow boxes, stack outs, etc.)
Most field merchandisers use their skills in "sales floor," "store management," and "store associates" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential field merchandiser responsibilities here:
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling field merchandiser duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." According to a field merchandiser resume, here's how field merchandisers can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "assessed marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considered statistics and expenditures. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for field merchandisers to perform their duties. For an example of how field merchandiser responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a field merchandiser: "build communication with store management team. ".
Detail oriented. A big part of what field merchandisers do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to field merchandiser responsibilities because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical field merchandiser tasks: "received verbal commendations from regional and local sales representatives for my strong work ethic and attention to detail. "
Customer-service skills. Another crucial skill for a field merchandiser to carry out their responsibilities is "customer-service skills." A big part of what field merchandisers relies on this skill, since "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." How this skill relates to field merchandiser duties can be seen in an example from a field merchandiser resume snippet: "direct assistant to western regional sales manager by providing exemplary customer service to university bookstore management. "
The three companies that hire the most field merchandisers are:
- Ocean State Job Lot152 field merchandisers jobs
- Claire's72 field merchandisers jobs
- ActionLink51 field merchandisers jobs
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Compare different field merchandisers
Field merchandiser vs. Display specialist
A display associate is primarily in charge of managing product displays in an establishment, often working under the supervision and guidelines of a coordinator or manager. Their responsibilities usually include arranging products in display areas, removing lesser quality items from shelves, checking the expiration date of perishable goods, monitoring and maintaining inventory records, putting product prices and other necessary information, and keeping the sales floor clean. Moreover, in retail stores, a display associate may also assist clients by answering inquiries, helping them locate items, and recommending products.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between field merchandisers and display specialist. For instance, field merchandiser responsibilities require skills such as "store management," "store associates," "plan-o-grams," and "customer service." Whereas a display specialist is skilled in "hand tools," "google adwords," "display campaigns," and "a/v." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Display specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than field merchandisers. In fact, display specialists are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Field merchandiser vs. Display associate
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, field merchandiser responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "store associates," "plan-o-grams," "pos," and "expense reports." Meanwhile, a display associate has duties that require skills in areas such as "display merchandise," "window displays," "promotional calendar," and "drive sales." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Display associates tend to reach similar levels of education than field merchandisers. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field merchandiser vs. Display artist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a field merchandiser is likely to be skilled in "store management," "store associates," "plan-o-grams," and "customer service," while a typical display artist is skilled in "adobe creative suite," "cultural interests," "window displays," and "visual displays."
When it comes to education, display artists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to field merchandisers. In fact, they're 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Field merchandiser vs. Window display designer
Types of field merchandiser
Updated January 8, 2025
