How to hire a merchandising supervisor

How to hire a merchandising supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step merchandising supervisor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a merchandising supervisor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new merchandising supervisor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a merchandising supervisor job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the merchandising supervisor you need to hire. Certain merchandising supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A merchandising supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, merchandising supervisors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of merchandising supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Merchandising Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Merchandising Supervisor		$12-19
   Department Manager	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... Show more	$18-55
   Dept Manager	A department manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the assigned department, ensuring the maximum productivity and optimal performance of the staff. Department managers also coordinate with business partners, clients, and customers, as well as identifying business opportunities to drive more revenues and increase profitability... Show more	$13-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • HR
   • Drive Sales
   • Store Operations
   • Sales Floor
   • Store Management
   • Develop Team
   • Merchandise Flow
   • Cleanliness
   • Loss Prevention
   • Performance Management
   • Direct Reports
   • Excellent Guest
   • Presentation Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a group of supervisors and hold weekly SWAS meetings.
   • Assist store leadership in effectively leading, managing and developing store and/or department operations and associates to maximize sales and profitability.
   • Co-Manage the firearms and hunting departments with hardlines management team.
   • Handle SWAS meetings for all merchandise specializing in top merchandise.
   • Supervise merchandising and associate relations for the hardlines area of the store.
   • Lead IMS team ensuring trucks are unloaded and perpetual inventory are accurate.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your merchandising supervisor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A merchandising supervisor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, merchandising supervisors' average salary in iowa is 47% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level merchandising supervisors 34% less than senior-level merchandising supervisors.
   • Certifications. A merchandising supervisor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a merchandising supervisor's salary.

   Average merchandising supervisor salary

   $16.43hourly

   $34,175 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level merchandising supervisor salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

4. Writing a merchandising supervisor job description

   A merchandising supervisor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a merchandising supervisor job description:

   Merchandising supervisor job description example

   Merchandising Supervisor - St Paul / Minneapolis and surrounding areas
   
   The Merchandising Supervisor is responsible for recruiting, selecting, training and developing merchandisers, among point-of-sale and pricing activities.
   
   Details:
   
   + This position will be based out of our St Paul facility ; supporting customer's stores in St Paul, Minneapolis and surroung areas.
   
   + This position will be working Sunday Through Thursday from 4am until finish. Holidays as needed.
   
   + Will directly manage a team of around 9 direct reports
   
   + Salaried position based on experience plus bonus eligible, and benefits available.
   
   + Ability to use your own vehicle to travel around the territory as needed.
   
   Position Responsibilities
   
   + Recruit, select and develop new hires; manage a team of merchandisers.
   
   + Adhere to KDP merchandising standards, inspecting the execution and implementation of point-of-sale (POS) initiatives.
   
   + Route merchandisers for sales and deliveries.
   
   + Ensure cost-effectiveness and maintaining high levels of customer service.
   
   + Ensure that company pricing is properly displayed.
   
   + Provide merchandising coverage for vacation routes.
   
   + Identify sales opportunities for Sales Representatives to pursue.
   
   Requirements
   
   + High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) preferred
   
   + Lift up to 50 lbs repeatedly
   
   + Push and pull up to 100 lbs repeatedly
   
   + 3 years of merchandising experience
   
   + Valid driver's license
   
   Company Overview
   
   Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is a leading coffee and beverage company in North America with dual headquarters in Burlington, MA and Plano, TX, with annual revenue in excess of $11 billion. KDP holds leadership positions in soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, water, juice and juice drinks and mixers, and markets the #1 single serve coffee brewing system in the U.S. The Company maintains an unrivaled distribution system that enables its portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands to be available nearly everywhere people shop and consume beverages. With a wide range of hot and cold beverages that meet virtually any consumer need, KDP key brands include Keurig , Dr Pepper , Green Mountain Coffee Roasters , Canada Dry , Snapple , Bai , Mott's and The Original Donut Shop . The Company employs more than 25,000 employees and operates more than 120 offices, manufacturing plants, warehouses and distribution centers across North America.
   
   Benefits built for you: Our people are the heart of our business, which is why we offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being. We also provide employee programs designed to enhance your professional growth and development while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work.
   
   Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and affirmatively seeks diversity in its workforce. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find merchandising supervisors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any merchandising supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level merchandising supervisors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your merchandising supervisor job on Zippia to find and attract quality merchandising supervisor candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit merchandising supervisors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new merchandising supervisor

   Once you've found the merchandising supervisor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new merchandising supervisor. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a merchandising supervisor?