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Merchandising operations manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Karen Kus,

Nina Woodard

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical merchandising operations manager skills. We ranked the top skills for merchandising operations managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 18.9% of merchandising operations manager resumes contained sales floor as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a merchandising operations manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 merchandising operations manager skills for your resume and career

1. Sales Floor

The sales floor is the area in a company or a business that is specified for retail activities or is designated as the selling area of the shop. A car showroom can be considered a sales floor, as it has cars in its display which are to be sold. A sales floor is generally crowded with sales assistants who are there to help you out while you can search and check out the products. Generally a sales floor has free access to the public and they can observe, view and get information about the product that is being sold.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use sales floor:

Look at walls and floor layout to ensure team has capture the company vision and sales floor space is maximized.
Managed the daily activity of the sales floor and stockroom to ensure the proper processing and display of merchandise.

2. Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is the skill of having better information and knowledge about the product you are selling. Product knowledge is essential for the employees of the companies so they can communicate and inform the customers about the product. Having great product knowledge is essential for a better sales pitch and to give the customer a better and complete idea of the product that will influence him to buy the product eventually.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use product knowledge:

Managed and applied the customer service experience by enhancing product knowledge in utilizing proper channels of distribution.
Trained store personnel and management on merchandising, sales initiatives and product knowledge.

3. Performance Evaluations

Performance evaluation is a formal and productive process to measure an employee's work and results based on their job responsibilities over a defined period of time and to properly measure an employee's contribution to the workforce and employers and achieve a high level of quality and quantity of work produced. The evaluation also helps employees provide information about deficiencies in job performance and the company's expectations for the future.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use performance evaluations:

Implemented performance evaluation system which awarded employees "pay for performance."
Developed store teams by interviewing and training candidates, conducting performance evaluations, and enforcing disciplinary and/or corrective action when required.

4. Exceptional Guest

Here's how merchandising operations managers use exceptional guest:

Provided exceptional guest experience services and assisted guests in the proper selection of merchandise in accordance with their identified needs.

5. Store Sales

Here's how merchandising operations managers use store sales:

Maintained accountability for store sales performance in addition to merchandising and housekeeping standards.
Coordinated with store sales manager to establish optimal staffing levels to ensure proper coverage year-round and during peak holiday season.

6. Loss Prevention

The steps taken by a business to prevent theft is called loss prevention. There are multiple methods for loss prevention for example usage of automated cash handling, secure physical location, product security staff buy-in, and attentive customer service.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use loss prevention:

Acted as a role model of appropriate loss prevention/risk management behavior and ensured that associates were effectively trained in these areas.
Developed and delivered training materials on a variety of topics including Loss Prevention, Customer Service, and Sales.

7. Inventory Counts

Here's how merchandising operations managers use inventory counts:

Initiated and completed inventory counts to ensure proper stock replenishment.
Complete regular inventory counts to assure the correct amount of product is on the shelf or in back-stock.

8. Inventory Management

Here's how merchandising operations managers use inventory management:

Supply Chain and Inventory management for internet retail company.
Conceived, developed and presented training packets and seminars for Inventory Management Associates and upgrades to GERS computer system.

9. RTV

RTV stands for Return To Vendor. In business terms, RTV is an instruction to authorize the return of damaged or unwanted goods to the seller. The cost of the returned item is refunded to the buyer.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use rtv:

Performed and delegate Merchandising sets, RTV's, Ad sets, Price change notices, training and developing team.
Conducted inventories of delivered products as well as RTV and transfers.

10. Merchandise Operations

Here's how merchandising operations managers use merchandise operations:

Coordinated communication with merchandise operations and vendors for PO creation and maintenance.
Promoted from Store Manager to District Trainer to Merchandise Operations Manager.

11. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use customer service:

Delivered extraordinary customer service, improved customer loyalty, garnered high volumes of referral business, fostered strong vendor relationships.
Conduct new hire orientation and motivate seasoned sales associates on providing customer service excellence and maintaining store operations/appearance.

12. Store Operations

Here's how merchandising operations managers use store operations:

Assist in developing effective managerial strategies for ongoing store operations and supervising their implementation.
Managed store operations worth 7 million dollars, including staff training and retention, finance control, and sales/customer management.

13. Merchandise Presentation

Here's how merchandising operations managers use merchandise presentation:

Maximize sales of merchandise via creative merchandise presentations, seasonal statements and lifestyle concepts in 250,000 sq.
Assisted in the opening of new locations, including store set-up, merchandise presentation and training.

14. Store Management

Here's how merchandising operations managers use store management:

Serve as primary contact for retail store management + manage customer support activities.
Cut store management turnover 50% through motivational and incentive programs.

15. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how merchandising operations managers use payroll:

Directed and Implemented floor moves to maximize store's profitability and optimize product placement within allotted payroll budget.
Evaluate strategic scheduling and make recommendations to Store Manager regarding exceptions to store payroll budget.

What skills help Merchandising Operations Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on merchandising operations manager resumes?

Karen Kus

Assistant Director of Career Services, SUNY Potsdam

Employers hiring candidates with a history degree are seeking transferable skills that can be applied in various roles and settings. These skills include writing, communication, research, organization, computer-based skills, and problem-solving. The best thing a candidate can do to increase marketability is to elaborate on how they obtained or utilized those skills, rather than simply listing them. Employers need to have an understanding of how you made use of your skill and what results came from your actions. Make these skills shine on your resume by giving them substance.

What merchandising operations manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Nina Woodard

Senior Career Development Specialist, Belmont University

For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.

What type of skills will young merchandising operations managers need?

Craig Nathanson Ph.D.

Adjunct Lecturer, Sonoma State University

I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.

What technical skills for a merchandising operations manager stand out to employers?

Dr. Mary Kern Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College - City University of New York

- Clearly, the ability to use different forms of communication technology has become key, and as these forms evolve rapidly, employers are look for an ability to adapt, adopt, and teach them to their colleagues.

- Evidence-based management and decision-making are playing a much larger role in organizations, and thus the ability to work with quantitative data to understand situations and to help make decisions is crucial.

What soft skills should all merchandising operations managers possess?

Steven Bauer

Visiting Professor of Marketing, Pepperdine University, Seaver College

The new hybrid world will make leading teams more challenging. This reality will put a premium on interpersonal skills. When the NASA astronaut, Richard Arnold, spoke at Pepperdine in 2019, he mentioned that team building was the single most important ability undergraduates could develop to become a good astronaut. The same holds for graduates wanting to go into business, particularly in the post coronavirus era. As part of their skills in this area, graduates will also need to be able and committed to addressing issues in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Do you want to know more?

List of merchandising operations manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a merchandising operations manager resume and required skills for a merchandising operations manager to have include:

Sales Floor
Product Knowledge
Performance Evaluations
Exceptional Guest
Store Sales
Loss Prevention
Inventory Counts
Inventory Management
RTV
Merchandise Operations
Customer Service
Store Operations
Merchandise Presentation
Store Management
Payroll

Visual Standards
Sales Growth
Store Standards
POS
Merchandise Flow
Inventory Control
Store Merchandise
Sales Associates
Retail Store
Product Placement
Front End
Store Associates
Human Resources
Sales Reports
Store Locations

Direct Reports
RAN
Performance Reviews
Bank Deposits
Sales Volume
Customer Relations
Customer Issues
Sales Performance
Performance Management
Customer Inquiries
Financial Statements
Cash Control
Cash Drawers
Merchandise Placement

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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