About the job Key Account Manager
Job Purpose:
The Merchandising Manager is responsible for leading the merchandising team to ensure flawless in-store execution of products, driving brand visibility, and maximizing sales opportunities. This role also involves collaborating with other client service units to identify new merchandising opportunities with existing clients and potential business, contributing to revenue growth and business development.
Key Responsibilities:
Merchandising Leadership
Lead, coach, and manage a team of merchandisers and supervisors to ensure high performance and accountability.
Ensure consistent implementation of merchandising standards, including Perfect Store Execution, Planogram compliance, OSA, SOS, POSM deployment, and field reporting.
Monitor and analyze merchandising KPIs and provide actionable insights to improve field execution.
Business Development & Collaboration
Collaborate with client service units (account management, marketing, and trade activation teams) to identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling merchandising services.
Support client pitches by providing merchandising insights, execution strategies, and proposals for new initiatives.
Work closely with sales and marketing teams to leverage field data to influence client decisions and strategy.
Client Relationship Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for merchandising matters with clients.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with key client stakeholders to enhance trust and partnership.
Ensure client expectations are met and exceeded through proactive communication and service delivery.
Operational Excellence
Plan and oversee field schedules, merchandiser allocation, and deployment strategies to maximize coverage and efficiency.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting on merchandising activities, including OOS, SOS, pricing, and competitive intelligence.
Identify field challenges and implement corrective measures to minimize business disruption.
Training & Development
Identify skill gaps within the merchandising team and implement training programs to improve knowledge, competencies, and execution quality.
Conduct performance appraisals, coaching, and mentorship for team members to foster professional growth.
Key Competencies
Strong leadership and team management skills
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management
Analytical skills with the ability to translate field data into actionable insights
Business development mindset and proactive in identifying growth opportunities
Problem-solving skills with a results-oriented approach
Ability to work cross-functionally across client service units
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field
Minimum 57 years of merchandising or trade marketing experience, with at least 2 years in a managerial role
Experience in FMCG, retail, or consumer goods sectors preferred
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and merchandising reporting tools