Merchandising Manager - FMCG

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 780,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid time off

Travel allowances

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Merchandising Manager to optimize product presentation and sales performance at retail locations in East London, Eastern Cape. The role involves significant field activity and developing strategies for in-store execution across the East London region.

The ideal candidate has a strong FMCG understanding, expertise in planograms, and the ability to train store staff while collaborating with sales teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field preferred; relevant experience considered.
• Minimum 4 years in merchandising, visual display, or retail management, preferably FMCG.
• Proven ability to develop and implement merchandising strategies.
• Strong understanding of retail operations and consumer behavior, plus creativity in displays.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement merchandising plans and visual display guidelines.
• Ensure consistent merchandising standards across outlets.
• Collaborate with sales and retail partners to optimize placement.
• Monitor inventory and communicate stock needs for displays.
• Analyze sales data to improve visibility and placement.
• Train staff on merchandising best practices.
• Create planograms and display guides; conduct store visits.
• Provide feedback on in-store execution to marketing and sales.

Skills

Merchandising

Visual display

Retail management

Planograms

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business Administration

Tools

MS Office Suite

Planogram software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading name in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is actively seeking a detail-oriented and creative Merchandising Manager to enhance product presentation and sales performance at retail locations. This role is based in East London, Eastern Cape , and involves significant field-based activity. You will be responsible for developing and implementing effective merchandising strategies that optimize product placement, visibility, and appeal on store shelves. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of retail environments, consumer behavior, and visual merchandising principles within the FMCG industry. This is an excellent opportunity to make a visible impact on brand success and drive sales through strategic in-store execution in the East London region.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute compelling merchandising plans and visual display guidelines for retail products.
• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of merchandising standards across all assigned retail outlets.
• Collaborate with sales teams and retail partners to optimize product placement and shelf allocation.
• Monitor store inventory levels related to merchandising display needs and communicate stock requirements.
• Analyze sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for improved product visibility and placement.
• Train and guide sales representatives and store staff on merchandising best practices.
• Create and maintain visual merchandising materials, planograms, and display guides.
• Conduct regular store visits to assess merchandising effectiveness, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Stay updated on competitor merchandising strategies and industry best practices.
• Provide feedback to marketing and sales teams on in-store execution and customer feedback related to product presentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred; relevant experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in merchandising, visual display, or retail management, preferably within the FMCG sector.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective merchandising strategies.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, consumer behavior, and visual merchandising principles.
• Excellent spatial reasoning and creativity in developing attractive product displays.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence store personnel.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite; experience with planogram software is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and manage a territory effectively.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be willing to travel extensively within the East London region.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to East London, Eastern Cape .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, and opportunities for performance-based bonuses. This role provides direct impact on sales and brand presence at the crucial point of purchase. The position is based in our client's regional office in East London , with significant field-based responsibilities.

• comprehensive medical aid
• a retirement fund
• paid time off
• travel allowances
• opportunities for professional development and career growth within the dynamic FMCG industry

Join a team dedicated to excellence in retail execution.