How to hire a merchandise coordinator

How to hire a merchandise coordinator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step merchandise coordinator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a merchandise coordinator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new merchandise coordinator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a merchandise coordinator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a merchandise coordinator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect merchandise coordinator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents merchandise coordinator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Merchandise Coordinator	Description	Hourly rate
   Merchandise Coordinator	The primary role of a Merchandise Coordinator is to supply and promote products in retail stores. They negotiate with suppliers on the price, handle inventory, and catalogue and display merchandise.	$13-21
   Sales Leader	A Sales Leader's responsibility is more than just leading. Most of the tasks involve monitoring the progress of sales, creating strategies to attain financial gains, managing the workforce, and as well as suggesting and enforcing particular options that would be beneficial for the sales and the company... Show more	$15-66
   Team Leader	Team leaders are responsible for managing a team for a specific project or work component. They primarily guide the team members and ensure that they are still working towards the set goals... Show more	$17-60

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cleanliness
   • Sales Floor
   • Merchandise Presentation
   • Jewelry
   • POS
   • Store Management
   • Purchase Orders
   • PowerPoint
   • Stock Room
   • Sales Associates
   • Photo Shoots
   • Sales Reports
   • Real Estate
   • Increase Sales

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage VIP area and guests.
   • Manage all product marketing across retail, direct & social media channels for apparel and accessories divisions.
   • Manage profitability and maximize ROI for allocate marketing budget.
   • Manage e-commerce websites to maintain accurate information and maximize sales.
   • Develop and execute marketing strategies within the affiliate, SEO, SEM, email, and social channels.
   • Bag groceries and provide courtesy carry out service.

   More merchandise coordinator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your merchandise coordinator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A merchandise coordinator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, merchandise coordinators' average salary in new mexico is 50% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level merchandise coordinators earn 36% less than senior-level merchandise coordinators.
   • Certifications. A merchandise coordinator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a merchandise coordinator's salary.

   Average merchandise coordinator salary

   $36,658yearly

   $17.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level merchandise coordinator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average merchandise coordinator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Rhode Island	$58,587	$28
   2	Illinois	$46,152	$22
   3	New York	$44,693	$21
   4	New Jersey	$44,257	$21
   5	Colorado	$41,249	$20
   6	Nebraska	$41,071	$20
   7	Wisconsin	$40,573	$20
   8	California	$38,870	$19
   9	Nevada	$37,605	$18
   10	Oregon	$37,405	$18
   11	Ohio	$37,182	$18
   12	Virginia	$35,483	$17
   13	Utah	$35,091	$17
   14	Indiana	$34,971	$17
   15	Tennessee	$32,279	$16
   16	Texas	$31,845	$15
   17	Georgia	$31,726	$15
   18	Pennsylvania	$31,323	$15
   19	North Carolina	$31,034	$15
   20	Florida	$30,336	$15

   Average merchandise coordinator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	New Era Cap	$50,397	$24.23
   2	Lucky Brand	$46,927	$22.56
   3	Crocs	$46,875	$22.54
   4	VF	$44,414	$21.35	8
   5	Levi Strauss & Co.	$43,825	$21.07	2
   6	Quad	$43,069	$20.71	3
   7	Shipt	$42,021	$20.20
   8	Bob's Discount Furniture	$41,954	$20.17
   9	Integrated Resources	$41,912	$20.15	16
   10	The Walt Disney Company	$41,564	$19.98	5
   11	Sysco	$41,359	$19.88	10
   12	FullBeauty Brands	$41,275	$19.84
   13	Ralph Lauren	$41,232	$19.82	2
   14	Big Lots	$40,592	$19.52
   15	Sephora	$39,849	$19.16	1
   16	Tractor Supply	$39,792	$19.13	3
   17	Hyatt Hotels	$39,732	$19.10	4
   18	Tiffany & Co.	$39,372	$18.93
   19	Anheuser-Busch	$39,267	$18.88
   20	VIVA USA	$39,218	$18.85

4. Writing a merchandise coordinator job description

   A good merchandise coordinator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a merchandise coordinator job description:

   Merchandise coordinator job description example

   TPC River's Bend is a private par-72, 7,180-yard championship layout located in Maineville, Ohio, just 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati. The Arnold Palmer-designed golf course meanders through corridors of mature hardwoods and whispering creeks. TPC River's Bend has previously hosted events for both the Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Champions, and currently hosts a tournament for the LPGA's Symetra Tour.
   Tee up your career as a part of our team with the TPC Network!
   
   The Merchandise Coordinator works closely with the Golf Shop staff to ensure that Golf Shop displays and product are aesthetically pleasing and logically positioned within the Golf Shop.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   High school diploma or equivalent education Basic knowledge of general business practices, retail sales practices and procedures as would be acquired through one to two years of similar experience Previous merchandise experience preferred
   
   RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES
   Provide exceptional service for PGA TOUR players, members and Guests as related to their retail golfing purchases Assist in the accurate distribution and control of the daily shop fill. Maintain stock room security by monitoring incoming and outgoing personnel and staff Greet and welcome TOUR Players, members and guests in a warm, professional and courteous manner Answer questions and provide assistance and information to TOUR Players, members and guests May be asked to assist with interviewing and training all stock room and golf shop floor sales staff Provide input on recommendations and feedback for annual and semi-annual employee performance reviews and corrective actions Assist in training the Golf Shop staff in merchandising and stock room procedures, and product knowledge Maintain purchase order system and ordering and receiving program to ensure proper quantity and price on all purchases. Assist with physical inventories as required Assist with recommendations and requisitions of special-order merchandise for TOUR Players, members, guests and staff. Track, check-in, invoice and charge receipts to proper account Communicate appropriately with the customer, the Head Golf Professional or Merchandise Manager or necessary personnel relative to each special order Assist with recommending and purchasing of merchandise for corporate sales and group outings Assist with properly preparing, receiving, coding, tracking and filing all golf-related purchase orders and invoices. Assist with accurately coding invoices for payment, verifying prices, quantities against purchase orders. Review receiver adjustments and returns with Head Golf Professional or Merchandise Manager prior to processing. Print and distribute monthly. Coordinate any changes with the National Merchandising DepartmentAssist with acquiring documents for application for Golf World Business Top 100Maintain records on all RTV's (Return to Vendors) and obtain appropriate return authorization (RA's) and credits from vendors for merchandise returned Assist with ensuring all merchandise stored in the stock room is accurately coded as temporary, permanent or basic fill use. Ensure the daily Golf Shop fill ins are processed and merchandised according to established procedures Ensure the Golf Shop and Stock Room are routinely cleaned and organized to ensure a neat appearance and to ensure PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, Inc. standards are maintained. Areas include the Golf Shop, storage areas, and merchandise displays. Maintain Stock Room security by monitoring incoming and outgoing staff and shipments Continually check par levels of all stock room merchandise. Notify Head Golf Professional or Merchandise Manager of any product below par levels Assist Head Golf Professional or Merchandise Manager with preparation of the monthly merchandise report from the month end reports as needed Special projects or other duties as assigned
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
   This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; kneel; use hands to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, color vision, distance and peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
   
   An essential function of the job is to be able to comply with all applicable federal, state and local safety and health regulations that would apply to this job.
   
   This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and may be modified as needed; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job.
   
   Travel
   Travel is not expected for this position
   
   Work Schedule Expectations
   This position requires shifts as necessary based on business levels
   
   Supervisory Responsibility
   This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right merchandise coordinator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with merchandise coordinators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit merchandise coordinators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your merchandise coordinator job on Zippia to find and attract quality merchandise coordinator candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with merchandise coordinator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new merchandise coordinator

   Once you've decided on a perfect merchandise coordinator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new merchandise coordinator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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