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Merchandise lead vs department manager

The differences between merchandise leads and department 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 department manager. Additionally, a department manager has an average salary of $67,160, 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 department manager are inventory management, sales promotions, and cleanliness.

Merchandise lead vs department manager overview

Merchandise LeadDepartment Manager
Yearly salary$35,572$67,160
Hourly rate$17.10$32.29
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs72,605330,327
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
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 department manager do?

Department managers oversee the operations of the department they are assigned to. They manage all aspects of the operation, including finance, sales, quality control, and human resources. They set department goals and the steps the team needs to take to ensure that the goals are met. Department managers are also in charge of training team members so that these team members will be able to work together harmoniously. They should also be able to keep the team's goal in sight and adjust their strategy as needed.

Merchandise lead vs department manager salary

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

Merchandise LeadDepartment Manager
Average salary$35,572$67,160
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $39,000 And $115,000
Highest paying CityGreen Bay, WINew York, NY
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNew Jersey
Best paying companyPepsiCoRalph Lauren
Best paying industryRetailManufacturing

Differences between merchandise lead and department manager education

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

Merchandise LeadDepartment Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Merchandise lead vs department manager demographics

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

Merchandise LeadDepartment Manager
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 42.5% Female, 57.5%Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between merchandise lead and department 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.

Department manager example responsibilities.

  • Participate in company's ISO certification program, successfully achieving ISO [] and AS9100 certification.
  • Manage and delegate over lumber-building materials department including millwork department.
  • Manage electronics, wireless connection center, layaway and online order/pickup departments.
  • Develop schedules; manage payroll; multitask extensively to ensure competing requirements are complete.
  • Monitor and maximize sales and payroll by identifying sales opportunities and managing controllable expenses.
  • Manage geotechnical aspects of an EIR/EIS for a coastal development in an environmentally sensitive lagoon.
    • Show more

Merchandise lead vs department manager skills

Common merchandise lead skills
  • Sales Floor, 17%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Store Management, 7%
  • POS, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
Common department manager skills
  • Inventory Management, 38%
  • Sales Promotions, 17%
  • Cleanliness, 13%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Sales Floor, 3%
  • Product Knowledge, 2%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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