Post job

Merchandise lead vs co-manager

The differences between merchandise leads and co-managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a merchandise lead and a co-manager. Additionally, a co-manager has an average salary of $64,962, which is higher than the $35,572 average annual salary of a merchandise lead.

The top three skills for a merchandise lead include sales floor, customer service and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a co-manager are payroll, customer service, and food safety.

Merchandise lead vs co-manager overview

Merchandise LeadCo-Manager
Yearly salary$35,572$64,962
Hourly rate$17.10$31.23
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs72,605258,234
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4343
Years of experience66

What does a merchandise lead do?

A merchandise lead is responsible for strategizing merchandise methods to reach sales performance targets. Merchandise leads assist the consumers in choosing the best products according to their needs and budget limitations. They evaluate the current market trends to generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profitability by negotiating with trusted suppliers and vendors. A merchandise lead must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in helping with marketing and promotional campaigns to attract consumers' interests and meet public demands.

What does a co-manager do?

A co-manager's role is to supervise business operations and perform administrative tasks as support to a manager. One of the primary functions of a co-manager is to delegate tasks of team members and arrange schedules. They also evaluate progress, produce the necessary documentation, maintain a record of data, identify issues and opportunities, and assist in coordinating with other employees. A co-manager may also have the task of hiring and training new workforce members, enforcing policies and regulations at all times.

Merchandise lead vs co-manager salary

Merchandise leads and co-managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Merchandise LeadCo-Manager
Average salary$35,572$64,962
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $35,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CityGreen Bay, WINew York, NY
Highest paying stateRhode IslandMassachusetts
Best paying companyPepsiCoGUESS
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between merchandise lead and co-manager education

There are a few differences between a merchandise lead and a co-manager in terms of educational background:

Merchandise LeadCo-Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Merchandise lead vs co-manager demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise leads' and co-managers' demographics:

Merchandise LeadCo-Manager
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 42.5% Female, 57.5%Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between merchandise lead and co-manager duties and responsibilities

Merchandise lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage merchandising for lumber, building materials, paint, hardware, plumbing, electrical, and the garden department.
  • Facilitate price checks and pitch in to bag groceries as needed.
  • Coordinate all POS arrangements and merchandise as strategically design in floor plans.
  • Assist in all administrative responsibilities including opening and closing store, organization standards, scheduling and payroll processing.
  • Assist in CAO roll-out to other stores in district.
  • Coordinate production of sketch books for presentation of final dress line to sales force and top management of company.

Co-manager example responsibilities.

  • Partner in managing operations of multiple retail outlets, including hiring, performance management, scheduling, and merchandising management.
  • Supervise an ethnically diverse staff ensuring in stock availability, quality control, cleanliness, and overall customer satisfaction.
  • Provide a quick and convenient trip for customers through efficient communication, having item prices memorize and mental math.
  • Prepare and review opening and closing sales reports, as well as opening and closing the POS systems every day.
  • Retail POS system database maintenance to ensure accurate information for store operating reports.
  • Develop and train associates for entry level management position with emphasizes on leadership and delegation.
  • Show more

Merchandise lead vs co-manager skills

Common merchandise lead skills
  • Sales Floor, 17%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Store Management, 7%
  • POS, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
Common co-manager skills
  • Payroll, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Food Safety, 6%
  • Loss Prevention, 6%
  • Perform Routine Maintenance, 5%
  • Store Sales, 5%