Merchandiser

Advocate Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Group is seeking a Merchandising Coordinator to lead the UK field operation, taking ownership of 15-20 stores across your region, ensuring top merchandising standards, product availability and commercial performance.

You will partner with store management and third-party merchandising partners, coach teams, analyse store performance, and travel frequently to support sites, driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in merchandising, retail operations, store management or field sales.
• Strong relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to coach and develop merchandising teams.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of 15-20 retail stores in your region.
• Monitor merchandising standards, product availability and sales performance.
• Ensure third-party merchandising teams deliver excellent in-store execution.
• Coach and provide feedback to merchandising teams to improve performance.
• Build strong relationships with store management and partners.
• Identify operational issues and implement solutions.
• Monitor compliance with planograms and promotions.
• Use performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Plan store visits and journeys across the territory.
• Act as the link between stores, partners and the wider business.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the region.

Skills

Merchandising

Retail Operations

Store Management

Visual Merchandising

Field Sales

Job description

Do you enjoy being out in stores, improving retail standards, and getting the best out of people?

Passionate about building relationships, solving operational challenges, and driving sales through exceptional in-store execution?

Looking for a field-based role where you'll have real ownership, autonomy, and a clear path for progression?

We're looking for a Merchandising Coordinator to join one of Europe's fastest-growing consumer brands as they continue to expand their UK retail presence.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a merchandising, retail, or store management background who's ready to take the next step into a field-based leadership role.

If you thrive in fast-paced retail environments, enjoy coaching others, and have a proactive approach to problem solving, this could be the perfect opportunity.

The Company

Our client is an internationally recognised consumer goods business and a market leader within its category, supplying products to major high street retailers across the UK and Europe.

Following significant growth, they're continuing to invest in their UK field operation, creating an exciting opportunity to join the business during a key stage of expansion.

The business prides itself on delivering exceptional in-store standards, operational excellence, and an outstanding customer experience, making the field team a critical part of its continued success.

The Role

Reporting into the Regional Manager, you'll take ownership of approximately 15-20 retail stores across your territory, ensuring every location delivers the highest possible merchandising standards, product availability, and commercial performance.

This is far more than a merchandising role.

You'll act as the link between store management, a third-party merchandising partner, and the wider business, ensuring stores are consistently operating to the highest standards whilst identifying opportunities to improve sales performance.

Success comes from building strong relationships, coaching merchandising teams, analysing store performance, and taking ownership of any issues before they impact the customer experience.

You'll spend the majority of your time visiting stores, working alongside merchandising teams, supporting store managers, and ensuring every location is set up for success.

Key Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of the performance of approximately 15-20 retail stores within your region.
• Monitoring sales performance, merchandising standards, and product availability.
• Ensuring third-party merchandising teams consistently deliver excellent in-store execution.
• Coaching, supporting, and providing feedback to merchandising teams to improve performance.
• Building strong working relationships with store management.
• Identifying operational issues affecting store performance and implementing solutions.
• Monitoring compliance with merchandising standards, planograms, and promotional activity.
• Using sales and performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Managing store visits and journey planning across your territory.
• Acting as the key point of contact between stores, merchandising partners, and the wider business.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across your region.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience within Merchandising, Retail Operations, Store Management, Visual Merchandising, or Field Sales.
• Experience working within fast-paced retail or FMCG environments.
• Strong relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable coaching, influencing, and improving the performance of others.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
• Commercially minded with the ability to interpret store performance and identify opportunities.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the confidence to work independently.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to roll up your sleeves when needed.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer products sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

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