Merchandising Manager  

Duties vary depending on the company and the particular retail sector, but will typically include:

• Planning product ranges and preparing sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers;
• Liaising with buyers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors;
• Maintaining a comprehensive library of appropriate data;
• Working closely with visual-display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximise sales;
• Producing layout plans for stores, sometimes called 'statements';
• Forecasting profits and sales, and optimising the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas;
• Planning budgets and presenting sales forecasts and figures for new ranges;
• Controlling stock levels based on forecasts for the season;
• Using specialist computer software, for example to handle sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs;
• Analysing every aspect of bestsellers (for example, the bestselling price points, colours or styles) and ensuring that they reach their full potential;
• Maintaining awareness of competitors' performance;
• Monitoring slow sellers and taking action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary;
• Gathering information on customers' reactions to products;
• Analysing the previous season's sales and reporting on the current season's lines;
• Making financial presentations to senior managers;
• Accompanying buyers on visits to manufacturers to appreciate production processes;
• Meeting with suppliers and managing the distribution of stock, by negotiating cost prices, ordering stock, agreeing timescales and delivery dates and completing the necessary paperwork;
• Identifying production and supply difficulties and dealing with any problems or delays as they arise;
• anaging, training and supervising junior staff.

• Strong analytical and planning skills;
• Good communication and presentation skills;
• Excellent problem-solving skills;
• Willing to do field work
• Can handle merchandisers/promodisers