What is the main aim of a Merchandiser in terms of their Stores? Is it to move as much stock as possible ?

Hi Reece. The merchandiser role is all about availability. if the stock is not there it does not sell. So we are more targeted on what we fill focusing on priority packs, ensuring coolers are to plan and the national agreed space is in situ. Prioritising is a key.

The main aim is to help improve the store with sales of our products by making sure that stock availability is correct.

Thank you Joe and Stephen. I touch of a few tasks you have mentioned above as I am an A Level student working in Waitrose and I have applied for the Apprenticeship Field Sales role but I am currently on the back list so wanted some deeper information for the role out in trade.

Are you set goals individually or by your team?

We have IPO's - Individual Performance objectives which are set by the business which helps support availability and drive sales in store.

Are you then rewarded if you meet your goals individually if you have met your individual performance objectives?

Yes we have qtr targets where if you achieve you're rewarded.

What does a day look like in the role of a Merchandiser out in Field Sales?

As an Apprentice would they get guidance with someone out in role for a little while first?

You will have a journey plan set out on which stores to visit, sign into store, carry out a store walk and make notes of what is needed from here you will go into warehouse and collect stock to fill the locations that are low or out of stock. If no stock available it's all about speaking with contacts to have SKU's checked. On average will spend 1hr in store and then move on to the next store.

Absolutely, anyone who joins the business gets a thorough induction and support from buddy's within the team

You also have an Account Executive who works in your stores as well as you, they have regular meetings with the store contacts about extra displays that we also fill when in store.
So it is important to have a good relationship ship with your account executives aswell