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Head of merchandise buying vs head of sales

The differences between heads of merchandise buying and heads of sales can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a head of merchandise buying, becoming a head of sales takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a head of sales has an average salary of $166,100, which is higher than the $133,768 average annual salary of a head of merchandise buying.

The top three skills for a head of merchandise buying include customer service, gross margin and product development. The most important skills for a head of sales are CRM, sales strategy, and sales organization.

Head of merchandise buying vs head of sales overview

Head Of Merchandise BuyingHead Of Sales
Yearly salary$133,768$166,100
Hourly rate$64.31$79.86
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs15,827112,592
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4846
Years of experience68

Head of merchandise buying vs head of sales salary

Heads of merchandise buying and heads of sales have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head Of Merchandise BuyingHead Of Sales
Average salary$133,768$166,100
Salary rangeBetween $76,000 And $233,000Between $110,000 And $248,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Flexport
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between head of merchandise buying and head of sales education

There are a few differences between a head of merchandise buying and a head of sales in terms of educational background:

Head Of Merchandise BuyingHead Of Sales
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Head of merchandise buying vs head of sales demographics

Here are the differences between heads of merchandise buying' and heads of sales' demographics:

Head Of Merchandise BuyingHead Of Sales
Average age4846
Gender ratioMale, 52.0% Female, 48.0%Male, 66.5% Female, 33.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between head of merchandise buying and head of sales duties and responsibilities

Head of merchandise buying example responsibilities.

  • Manage custom POs and works closely with planning to maintain a proper safety stock of refurbish inventory.
  • Launch and manage the Americas outsourcing lead generation and qualification process.
  • Create all financial and OTB plans including sales, inventory, margin and turn goals.
  • Solidify boutique as a local go-to shopping destination for customers seeking unique clothing and accessories.
  • Facilitate all RTV's and RA's and maintain all data entry for purchase orders.
  • Create facebook posts and design customer email newsletters.

Head of sales example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate social media work (Facebook, apps, and social post within the managed brands).
  • Create, and manage social media initiatives.including facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, and youtube.3.
  • Full responsibility for all sales activities for a start-up electronic commerce company managing electronic data flow in the healthcare industry.
  • Establish the group sales strategy, group ceiling, and booking calendar for groups.
  • Initiate and execute a customer service development program, CRM implementation and adoption.
  • Advance c-level and senior relationships with brand, agency, networks and publishers.
  • Show more

Head of merchandise buying vs head of sales skills

Common head of merchandise buying skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Gross Margin, 19%
  • Product Development, 11%
  • Store Management, 5%
  • Inventory Management, 5%
  • Inventory Control, 4%
Common head of sales skills
  • CRM, 8%
  • Sales Strategy, 7%
  • Sales Organization, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Sales Operations, 5%

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