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Merchandising assistant vs shift supervisor

The differences between merchandising assistants and shift supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a merchandising assistant and a shift supervisor. Additionally, a merchandising assistant has an average salary of $34,679, which is higher than the $34,141 average annual salary of a shift supervisor.

The top three skills for a merchandising assistant include sales floor, customer service and customer issues. The most important skills for a shift supervisor are cash handling, store operations, and store management.

Merchandising assistant vs shift supervisor overview

Merchandising AssistantShift Supervisor
Yearly salary$34,679$34,141
Hourly rate$16.67$16.41
Growth rate4%10%
Number of jobs22,645282,079
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4343
Years of experience66

What does a merchandising assistant do?

A merchandising assistant is responsible for contributing new goods and services for the business, identifying business opportunities based on the market demands to drive revenues and increase profitability. Merchandising assistants also monitor stock inventories, negotiating with suppliers and other third-party vendors for deliveries, and strategizing on how to minimize costs without compromising the quality. They also help with arranging product displays, developing marketing campaigns, and planning promotional offers to attract customers for purchase. A merchandising assistant must have excellent communication skills, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, and directing them to the appropriate section for their needs.

What does a shift supervisor do?

Shift supervisors are responsible for the employees assigned to the shift that they are handling. Shift supervisors ensure that the employees who were expected to report to work at the specific shift came in. They also ensure that the employees are doing their jobs while at work. Shift supervisors are expected to ensure that employees are really working during working hours and properly delegate work. Shift supervisors ensure that the employees are productive and efficient in their jobs. They are expected to provide coaching and guidance so that the employees will be able to reach the goals assigned to the work team.

Merchandising assistant vs shift supervisor salary

Merchandising assistants and shift supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Merchandising AssistantShift Supervisor
Average salary$34,679$34,141
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $46,000Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companySoftpath SystemAbbVie
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between merchandising assistant and shift supervisor education

There are a few differences between a merchandising assistant and a shift supervisor in terms of educational background:

Merchandising AssistantShift Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Merchandising assistant vs shift supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between merchandising assistants' and shift supervisors' demographics:

Merchandising AssistantShift Supervisor
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 23.2% Female, 76.8%Male, 49.1% Female, 50.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between merchandising assistant and shift supervisor duties and responsibilities

Merchandising assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage open-to-buy to ensure continual flow of merchandise to stores and warehouses with careful attention to advertise events and promotions.
  • Update photo packets in PowerPoint deck.
  • Engage in coaching and development for MEA team members.
  • Process transactions through the POS system, shipping, process adjustments, ticketing of merchandise and return of damage merchandise.
  • Work with warehouse to assist in resolving problem orders and invoicing as well as troubleshoot issues in the POS system.
  • Manage open-to-buy to ensure continual flow of merchandise to stores and warehouses with careful attention to advertise events and promotions.
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Shift supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Content include math skills, how to manage a monthly budget, job searches, and managing a home.
  • Manage a team of energy consultants in daily production, SPH (sales per hr.
  • Evaluate daily job objectives and utilize knowledge of math, physics, and engineering to achieve the desired results.
  • Manage a part-time managerial shift supervisor position that require daily bookkeeping in POS system.
  • Prepare overall security plans and manage security operations of organization, including assignments, staffing and payroll.
  • Carry out administrative functions including tracking ordering and managing inventory, and support the manager in monitoring store security and cleanliness.
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Merchandising assistant vs shift supervisor skills

Common merchandising assistant skills
  • Sales Floor, 32%
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Customer Issues, 15%
  • Purchase Orders, 5%
  • Data Entry, 3%
  • Vendor Relations, 2%
Common shift supervisor skills
  • Cash Handling, 19%
  • Store Operations, 9%
  • Store Management, 9%
  • Loss Prevention, 7%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Cash Flow, 5%