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Product merchandiser vs inventory associate

The differences between product merchandisers and inventory associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a product merchandiser has an average salary of $31,071, which is higher than the $30,067 average annual salary of an inventory associate.

The top three skills for a product merchandiser include PET, brand awareness and product line. The most important skills for an inventory associate are ladders, strong work ethic, and work ethic.

Product merchandiser vs inventory associate overview

Product MerchandiserInventory Associate
Yearly salary$31,071$30,067
Hourly rate$14.94$14.46
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs122,502184,462
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a product merchandiser do?

Product merchandiser positions require individuals with skills in product knowledge, quality and customer focus, organization, client relationships, promotions, and attention to detail. The job involves taking responsibility for the appearance of products in different stores in order to promote specific products and increase sales.

What does an inventory associate do?

An inventory associate is responsible for monitoring inventory supplies, ensuring that the supplies are adequate for customers' orders and business' needs. Inventory associates manage order sheets and record inventory reports, check items for possible defects, prepare merchandise for shipment, inspect delivered inventory supplies and return damaged items, organize shelves, and operate basic warehouse equipment. An inventory associate must have strong analytical and data entry skills to input inventory records in the system efficiently and accurately.

Product merchandiser vs inventory associate salary

Product merchandisers and inventory associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product MerchandiserInventory Associate
Average salary$31,071$30,067
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityEugene, ORSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateOregonWashington
Best paying companyAmazonPhillips 66
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between product merchandiser and inventory associate education

There are a few differences between a product merchandiser and an inventory associate in terms of educational background:

Product MerchandiserInventory Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Product merchandiser vs inventory associate demographics

Here are the differences between product merchandisers' and inventory associates' demographics:

Product MerchandiserInventory Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 57.9% Female, 42.1%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between product merchandiser and inventory associate duties and responsibilities

Product merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Implement plan-o-grams, point of purchase material and achieve on shelf product merchandising objectives.
  • Diagnose production problem and work with suppliers to present alternatives to both parties to achieve KPI (key performance indicator).
  • Help to sell new products, install POS material and build displays.
  • Assist the stores with products and displays, checking out of codes and help with plan-o-grams.
  • Provide national pet supply stores with merchandizing support, including inventory, product resets, distributing product information, magazine stock management
  • Organize and conduct Macys luggage seminars and bridal events.

Inventory associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage the ordering of shipping supplies through FedEx's web ordering system.
  • Train any associate interest in POS system in order to help them achieve their goals.
  • Count products in warehouse; preform quality checks on packages being ship out; operate RF gun; update computer system
  • Research product (WMS) system to conduct quality control locations.
  • Clean store, bag groceries, and assist customers with general needs.
  • Assist customers with bagging groceries and assisting them with lifting and carrying groceries.
  • Show more

Product merchandiser vs inventory associate skills

Common product merchandiser skills
  • PET, 37%
  • Brand Awareness, 15%
  • Product Line, 13%
  • Retail Store, 13%
  • Pallets, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
Common inventory associate skills
  • Ladders, 31%
  • Strong Work Ethic, 27%
  • Work Ethic, 27%
  • WIS, 3%
  • Inventory Counts, 3%
  • Customer Service, 2%

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