Job Title: Merchandising Operations Manager
Job Summary:
The Merchandising Operations Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing merchandising operations to maximize product availability, brand visibility, sales performance, and operational efficiency. The role oversees merchandising teams, ensures compliance with merchandising standards, coordinates with sales, marketing, supply chain, and retail partners, and drives the successful execution of promotional and category management initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement merchandising strategies aligned with company sales and marketing objectives.
- Manage day-to-day merchandising operations across assigned retail channels and territories.
- Lead, coach, and supervise merchandising supervisors, field merchandisers, and support staff.
- Ensure products are displayed according to company planograms, visual merchandising standards, and brand guidelines.
- Monitor product availability, stock levels, shelf placement, pricing, and promotional execution.
- Coordinate with sales, marketing, supply chain, and warehouse teams to ensure timely product replenishment.
- Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, and merchandising effectiveness to identify improvement opportunities.
- Plan and execute product launches, seasonal campaigns, and promotional displays.
- Conduct regular store visits, audits, and performance evaluations to ensure compliance with merchandising standards.
- Develop merchandising schedules, territory coverage plans, and resource allocation.
- Manage merchandising budgets, equipment, and operational expenses.
- Prepare and present reports on merchandising performance, market trends, and competitor activities.
- Build strong relationships with key retail customers and store management.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, health and safety requirements, and retail partner standards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance merchandising productivity and customer satisfaction.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- 5–8+ years of experience in merchandising, retail operations, or FMCG sales, with at least 2–3 years in a managerial role.
- Strong understanding of retail merchandising principles, category management, and consumer buying behavior.
- Experience managing field merchandising teams across multiple locations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience using merchandising, retail execution, or ERP systems is an advantage.
Required Skills
- Merchandising operations management
- Team leadership and performance management
- Retail execution and visual merchandising
- Category management
- Inventory and stock management
- Sales and market analysis
- Data analysis and reporting
- Project planning and execution
- Communication and negotiation
- Customer relationship management
- Budget management and cost control
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Time management and organizational skills
Preferred Certifications
- Certified Professional in Retail Management
- Category Management Certification
- Project Management Certification (PMP or equivalent) – preferred
- Leadership and People Management Training
- Advanced Microsoft Excel or Business Analytics Certification
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Merchandising compliance across retail outlets
- Product availability and on-shelf availability (OSA)
- Sales growth within assigned territories
- Planogram compliance rate
- Promotional execution accuracy and timeliness
- Inventory accuracy and stock turnover
- Team productivity and territory coverage
- Customer and retailer satisfaction
- Budget adherence and operational cost efficiency
- Reduction in stock-outs and merchandising issues
Typical Work Environment
- Corporate office with frequent travel to retail stores, supermarkets, distributors, and regional markets
- Regular collaboration with sales, marketing, supply chain, and retail partners
- Frequent field visits to monitor merchandising standards and team performance
- Participation in business reviews, promotional planning, and retail strategy meetings
- Occasional weekend or extended working hours during major product launches or promotional campaigns
