Merchandiser
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A Merchandiser combines the skills of a businessperson with the artistic eye of a designer and the marketing techniques of a sales professional. Merchandisers are responsible for acquiring, handling, and then reselling goods. They are involved in the process of determining what goods to acquire, how to acquire them, when to acquire them, how many to acquire, how to market them, and where to market them. Integral to their role, Merchandisers must track their sales data to determine the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
What They Do
Merchandisers play a key role in the supply chain to transform raw materials into the finished goods that consumers purchase. Here are some of the day-to-day activities that Merchandisers are responsible for completing:
- Conducting market research to identify product trends
- Determining the price of the product
- Developing a marketing strategy
- Purchasing the raw materials
- Overseeing the manufacturing of the product
- Marketing the product to potential buyers
- Managing the inventory
- Tracking sales data
Industries Where They Work
Merchandisers can be found in a multitude of industries including fashion, food and beverage, home goods, electronics, sporting goods, and many others.
Tools They Use
- Inventory management software
- Customer relationship management software
- Point-of-sale systems
- Data analytics
- Presentation software
Building the Skills
Aspiring Merchandisers can acquire the skills for this role through a variety of methods including higher education, online courses, and self-guided projects. Some of the core knowledge and skills that Merchandisers need include:
