What Does a Merchandiser Do? Job Description and Duties
Short answer: A merchandiser makes sure products are on the shelf, priced correctly and displayed the way the brand or store planned. Retail merchandisers stock shelves, build displays, follow planograms, rotate stock and report on shelf conditions. Many work for a brand or agency and visit several stores in a day.
Products sell when they are on the shelf and easy to find.
Types of merchandisers
Retail or in-store merchandiser: works for one store, keeping shelves full and displays in order.
Field merchandiser: works for a brand, distributor or agency and visits many stores on a route.
Visual merchandiser: designs window and floor displays.
Merchandise planner or buyer: an office role that decides which products and how much to stock.
Merchandiser job description template
Job title: Merchandiser
Reports to: Merchandising supervisor or district manager
Summary: Keep products stocked, priced and displayed to plan in assigned stores.
Duties
Stock shelves and rotate products so older stock sells first.
Set shelves and displays to the planogram.
Check prices and shelf tags and fix errors.
Build promotional displays and end caps.
Count stock, report out-of-stocks and suggest orders.
Take photos of completed work and submit visit reports.
Build good relationships with store managers.
Skills and requirements
Attention to detail and ability to follow a planogram.
Able to lift boxes, bend and climb a step ladder.
For field roles: a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and a smartphone.
Organized and able to work without direct supervision.
Managing field merchandisers
Field teams are hard to manage because no one sees them working. Common problems are missed store visits, late arrivals and incomplete reports. A mobile time clock helps:
Merchandisers clock in at each store from their phone, with GPS time tracking.
Digital forms and photo reports are submitted from the store.
Tasks for each visit are assigned in the app.
Travel time between stores during the workday is generally paid work time for non-exempt employees, and mileage policies vary. See travel time pay rules and employee GPS tracking laws. This is general information, not legal advice.
Track store visits with EZTime
EZTime gives field merchandisers GPS clock-in, tasks, digital forms and expense reporting in one app, and gives managers a clear record of every visit.
Frequently asked questions
What does a merchandiser do?
Stocks shelves, sets displays to the planogram, checks prices and reports on shelf conditions.
What is a field merchandiser?
A merchandiser who works for a brand or agency and visits several stores on a route.
Is drive time between stores paid?
Travel between work sites during the workday is generally work time for non-exempt employees.
