What Is a Job Description for a Merchandising Manager?
In retail, merchandising involves selecting and purchasing the goods that a store will sell. The merchandising manager supervises the activities of a store or retail chain's merchandising efforts.
Function
The merchandising manager makes final decisions about what a store or chain purchases and helps negotiate the cost of the goods for the store. Managers also help determine the price that the store sells the goods for in order to make a profit.
Strategizing
Merchandising managers follows sales trends in the store or stores they work for, monitoring what types of goods sell and what types are difficult to generate interest in. Managers also examine market trend reports to determine the type of clientele that visit stores as well as information about upcoming trends or advances in the types of products the store carries.
Skills
Successful merchandising managers possess leadership and organizational skills, the ability to both communicate and negotiate effectively and knowledge of read and interpret financial reports. The ability to use email, spreadsheet, word processing, database and inventory-control software is generally necessary as well.
Requirements
Most employers require merchandising managers to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a field like business, marketing or economics. Experience working assisting in merchandising at a similar type of retail store is usually necessary.
Compensation
As of May 2008, the average annual salary of merchandising managers was $94,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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