A merchandising specialist is responsible for managing the promotion of the business' products, arranging creative displays both on the physical store and company website to attract consumers on purchasing the products to generate revenues and increase profitability. Merchandising specialists assist in the development of marketing campaigns, as well as facilitating promotional offers on different communication channels. They also monitor stock inventories, analyze pricing structures, and adjust selling strategies by researching the current market trends, identifying business opportunities to meet customers' demands, and improve the negotiation process.

Merchandising Specialist Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real merchandising specialist resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • Work within OPEX budget to achieve company goals.
  • Manage the products for service companies in Kroger stores, PoG, doing resets.
  • Manage the distribution of POS items as assigned to the region to create brand affinity.
  • Verify and manage data for the weekly store ads which includes UPC verification, item description and ad pricing.
  • Lead seasonal consolidation/re-assortment of own consignment estate jewelry to strengthen merchandise productivity by door.
  • Check in drop shipments, truck shipments, and GEO shuttles.
  • Train and work with Apollo and JDA software as POG tools
  • Ensure proper input of data information into EDI, track BOL's, sales and purchase orders.
  • Assist in daily operations of the store merchandise presentation, processing, markdowns, fitting room, customer service front end.
  • Create geo specific apparel assortments per account channel.
  • Build key relationships with management of Kroger stores.
  • work for the vendors under home depot operation.
  • Follow POG to move shelves and product as directed.
  • Transmit EDI orders to vendors for new stores and replenishment.
  • Used ladders to get items down for customers on high shelves.

Merchandising Specialist Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 28% of Merchandising Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Sales Floor, and Cash Handling. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Self-confidence, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Merchandising Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 28%

    Provided ongoing excellent customer service while also remaining responsible for creating a supportive, educational and inclusive team atmosphere.

  • Sales Floor, 16%

    Organized the entire sales floor to its proper standard formation Skills Used -Bilingual ability -Organized merchandise exquisitely.

  • Cash Handling, 7%

    Cash handling, which includes closing, counting and balancing, cash drawers and store totals.

  • Cleanliness, 6%

    Maintained organization and cleanliness of stockroom areas.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

    Placed and expedited purchase orders with vendors to bolster customer satisfaction and timely delivery of goods.

  • Ladders, 5%

    Endured long hours and constant standing, bending, lifting and climbing ladders.

Some of the skills we found on merchandising specialist resumes included "customer service," "sales floor," and "cash handling." We have detailed the most important merchandising specialist responsibilities below.

  • Arguably the most important personality trait for a merchandising specialist to have happens to be physical stamina. An example from a resume said this about the skill, "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are often on their feet for a long time and may carry heavy sample products." Additionally, other resumes have pointed out that merchandising specialists can use physical stamina to "participated in physical inventories and assisted with inventory control. "
  • While it may not be the most important skill, we found that many merchandising specialist duties rely on self-confidence. This example from a merchandising specialist explains why: "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations." This resume example is just one of many ways merchandising specialists are able to utilize self-confidence: "have in depth knowledge and confidence of how to use fixtures and create a compelling floor layout. "
  • Merchandising specialists are also known for interpersonal skills, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a merchandising specialist resume: "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to work well with many types of people" We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "provided excellent customer service utilizing outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. "
  • See the full list of merchandising specialist skills.

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    What Free Lance Displayers Do

    A display coordinator manages and oversees the visual presentation of products and services. Despite having different responsibilities depending on their organization or industry of employment, it usually involves conducting market research and analyses, developing and implementing plans, communicating and negotiating with internal and external parties to secure supplies, and spearheading various events such as exhibits and shows. Moreover, a display coordinator manages different teams and coordinates their efforts while conducting assessments to ensure operations adhere to company standards and regulations.

    We looked at the average merchandising specialist annual salary and compared it with the average of a free lance displayer. Generally speaking, free lance displayers receive $31,507 higher pay than merchandising specialists per year.

    These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. A merchandising specialist responsibility is more likely to require skills like "customer service," "sales floor," "cash handling," and "cleanliness." Whereas a free lance displayer requires skills like "web site," "free lance," "photography," and "adobe photoshop." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

    On average, free lance displayers reach higher levels of education than merchandising specialists. Free lance displayers are 6.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What Are The Duties Of a Display Designer?

    Next up, we have the display designer profession to look over. This career brings along a higher average salary when compared to a merchandising specialist annual salary. In fact, display designers salary difference is $20,861 higher than the salary of merchandising specialists per year.

    Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Merchandising specialists and display designers both include similar skills like "sales floor," "product knowledge," and "retail store" on their resumes.

    While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, several resumes showed us that merchandising specialist responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "cash handling," "cleanliness," and "customer satisfaction." But a display designer might use skills, such as, "graphic design," "autocad," "cnc," and "in-store displays."

    In general, display designers study at similar levels of education than merchandising specialists. They're 1.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    How a Display Coordinator Compares

    The third profession we take a look at is display coordinator. On an average scale, these workers bring in higher salaries than merchandising specialists. In fact, they make a $8,688 higher salary per year.

    By looking over several merchandising specialists and display coordinators resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "customer service," "sales floor," and "store management." But beyond that the careers look very different.

    Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from merchandising specialist resumes include skills like "cash handling," "cleanliness," "customer satisfaction," and "ladders," whereas a display coordinator might be skilled in "store opening," "reflect changes," "window displays," and "in-store displays. "

    Display coordinators are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to merchandising specialists. Additionally, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of a Display Artist

    Display artists tend to earn a higher pay than merchandising specialists by about $21,782 per year.

    According to resumes from both merchandising specialists and display artists, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sales floor," "retail store," and "powerpoint. "

    Even though a few skill sets overlap, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a merchandising specialist might have more use for skills like "customer service," "cash handling," "cleanliness," and "customer satisfaction." Meanwhile, some display artists might include skills like "adobe creative suite," "cultural interests," "window displays," and "logo" on their resume.

    Display artists reach similar levels of education when compared to merchandising specialists. The difference is that they're 3.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree more, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What a Merchandising Specialist Does FAQs

    How Much Does A Merchandising Specialist Make At Home Depot?

    A merchandising specialist at Home Depot makes around $17 an hour. This can range from as low as $15 per hour to as high as $34 in an hour.

    The amount that a merchandiser at Home Depot makes in a year varies significantly due to a variety of factors that influence specific pay for an individual. These factors include education and experience, company size and industry, as well as location.

    What Is The Role Of A Visual Merchandiser Specialist?

    The role of a visual merchandiser specialist is to design and create attractive visual displays for retail outlets. As creative and innovative thinkers, they use skills in visual design and space utilization to enhance the aesthetic appeal of window displays, walkways, counters, and in-store displays.

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