A merchandiser job description has to answer a question that determines who can even apply: is this a supplier role covering a route of stores, or an in-store role at a single site? Those are different jobs with different requirements, and adverts that leave it ambiguous attract the wrong applicants. This page provides a complete, adaptable merchandiser job description covering both.
Merchandiser Job Description Overview
The merchandiser ensures products are available on shelf, displayed according to agreed layouts, correctly priced and supported by the right promotional material, and reports accurately on store conditions.
Decide the model before writing. A supplier or agency merchandiser represents a brand across several stores, travels a route, focuses on that brand’s availability and share of shelf, and almost always needs a driver licence and own transport. An in-store merchandiser works for the retailer at one site, covers the whole range, and is part of the store team.
A workable overview reads: the merchandiser is responsible for maintaining product availability, presentation and pricing accuracy across the assigned stores, implementing agreed layouts and promotional displays, and reporting accurately on stock levels and store conditions. For the duty detail see merchandiser duties.
Merchandiser Job Description Duties and Responsibilities
Availability and Replenishment
- Replenishing shelves from the stockroom to maintain full availability.
- Identifying stock gaps before they become out-of-stocks.
- Rotating stock so shorter-dated product sells first.
- Removing expired, damaged or unsaleable items.
- Reporting shortages to store management and the supplier.
Display and Presentation
- Implementing planograms and agreed shelf layouts accurately.
- Building and maintaining promotional displays and gondola ends.
- Facing up product and maintaining shelf presentation.
- Installing point of sale material and promotional signage.
- Maintaining cleanliness of fixtures and display units.
Pricing and Promotional Compliance
- Checking shelf pricing against the current price file.
- Applying and removing promotional labelling on the correct dates.
- Verifying promotional stock is displayed for the full promotional period.
- Reporting pricing discrepancies to store management.
Reporting and Relationships
- Recording store visits, stock levels and compliance on the reporting application.
- Photographing displays as evidence of execution.
- Reporting competitor activity, pricing and new listings.
- Building working relationships with store managers and receiving staff.
- Negotiating additional display space where the role permits.
- Escalating persistent availability or compliance problems.
Merchandiser Job Description Skills and Requirements
- Matric or equivalent, commonly required.
- Physical fitness for lifting, carrying and standing throughout the day.
- A valid driver licence and reliable own transport for supplier and agency roles.
- Attention to detail in implementing layouts and checking pricing.
- Ability to work alone and manage the day without supervision.
- Reliability and honest reporting, since much of the work is unwitnessed.
- Basic numeracy for stock counts and pricing.
- Comfort using a smartphone reporting application.
- Interpersonal skills for working with store staff who do not employ you.
- Willingness to travel between stores.
- Availability for early starts before peak trading.
How to Use This Template
State the Model First
Say plainly whether this is a supplier, agency or in-store role. Then give the number of stores, the geographic area and the call cycle, such as twelve stores across the East Rand visited weekly. Candidates cannot judge the job without these.
Be Explicit About Transport
If the role requires a driver licence and own vehicle, state it prominently rather than in the requirements list at the bottom. It is the single largest filter on who can do the job, and burying it wastes applicants’ time and yours.
State clearly how travel is compensated, whether through a car allowance, a per-kilometre rate or a company vehicle. This is a substantial part of the package for route-based roles and candidates will ask.
Describe the Physical Reality
Merchandising involves lifting cases, working at floor level and at height, and being on your feet all day. Say so. Candidates who discover this after appointment do not stay, and being upfront costs nothing.
Set Out the Measures
State what the role is measured on, which typically means on-shelf availability, planogram compliance, promotional execution, call rate and reporting quality. Merchandising has clear measures and naming them helps candidates understand what success looks like.
Address the Working Relationship
Supplier merchandisers work in stores run by someone else, without authority over the staff there. Getting stockroom access, display space and cooperation depends on the relationship. Mention this, because it is a real skill and candidates with it should recognise the role as suited to them.
Ensure the employment terms comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, particularly around travel time and working hours for route-based roles. Use Retail Job Description Template for a reusable structure across store roles.
Editable Job Description Structure
- Job title, and whether supplier, agency or in-store
- Reporting line
- Purpose of the role, in two or three sentences
- Number of stores, geographic area and call cycle
- Key duties grouped by theme
- Driver licence and own transport requirement, stated prominently
- How travel is compensated
- Physical requirements of the role
- Reporting application and frequency
- Performance measures
- Working hours, including early starts
- Contract type and duration
Related Duties Pages
For the detailed duty breakdown, read merchandiser duties. For related store roles, browse retail sales customer service duties.
FAQs
What should a merchandiser job description include?
Whether the role is supplier, agency or in-store, the number of stores and geographic area, the call cycle, duties grouped by theme, the driver licence and transport requirement, how travel is compensated, the physical requirements, the reporting application and the performance measures.
Why does the supplier versus in-store distinction matter?
Because they are different jobs. Supplier merchandisers travel a route covering one brand and need a licence and own transport. In-store merchandisers work at one site covering the whole range as part of the store team. An ambiguous advert attracts applicants who cannot do the role.
Should the advert state the transport requirement prominently?
Yes. For route-based roles it is the largest single filter on who can apply, and burying it in a requirements list at the bottom wastes time on both sides. State how travel is compensated as well, since it forms a substantial part of the package.
What is a merchandiser measured on?
On-shelf availability, planogram compliance, promotional execution, share of shelf for supplier roles, call rate against the visit schedule, and the quality and timeliness of reporting. Naming these in the advert helps candidates judge whether they can succeed.
Which related page should I read next?
For the duty detail, read merchandiser duties. For a reusable structure across retail roles, use the Retail Job Description Template.