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Path Finder > Explore These Professions > Wholesale merchandiser

Explore These Professions

Wholesale merchandiser

Job description

A merchandiser has a great deal of autonomy over his or her projects. Duties include overseeing every stage of production, from research and development of the original concept to ensuring that a product arrives at the appropriate outlet on time and in sufficient quantity.

In particular, merchandisers are responsibly for managing the supply chain. They need to ensure that mistakes do not happen along the chain and that alternatives are available, where necessary. As a result, they need to know everything there is to know about the supply chain, understand and deal with their clients' needs and make things happen as swiftly, easily and cost-effectively as possible.

Ultimately, merchandisers have to work alongside retail buyers to develop new and exciting, innovative products. The profession therefore requires a wealth of factory knowledge, as merchandisers must find the best possible product in response to a buyer's needs and translate the buyer's thoughts into product. As a result, they should have an understanding of the product in question - as well as of how that product can best be manufactured.

Day-to-day work as a merchandiser includes:

helping buyers develop and design products
sourcing and building relationships with the right vendors
assessing budgetary considerations
preparing quotations
progress-chasing with factories
quality control
importing products from source
crisis management and problem solving
overseeing numerous projects

Specific skills

In order to succeed as a merchandiser, the following skills and characteristics are helpful:

Communication skills
ability to work closely with people from different backgrounds and cultures
availability for frequent travel
ability to withstand high pressure
a passion for the job
aggression
detail-orientation
an inquisitive mind
a strong focus on customer service
excellent negotiation skills
technical, logistical, organisational and problem-solving ability
ability to translate customer's ideas into reality strong factory knowledge
a genuine interest in the cost of products and their manufacturing process
a genuine interest in product origin
an understanding of the merchandise in question

Career path

Progression up the career ladder as a merchandiser is generally performance-based and dependent - those who perform well may find themselves moving on up quickly.

Product specialisation is not essential, as the skills required to merchandise different products are transferable.

Lateral movement is possible, as buyers can move across into the career of merchandiser. However, prior experience as a buyer is not necessary.

Although there is no industry standard, the typical career path of a merchandiser is as follows:

Merchandising clerk (general assistance and administrative duties, sample handling, product photo-shooting, etc)
Assistant merchandiser (purchase order administration and follow up; sampling and general administration work)
Merchandiser (product control and monitoring, sourcing and product development, customer service and vendor relationship)
Senior merchandiser (product control and monitoring, sourcing and product development, customer service and vendor relationship)
Product manager or merchandising manager (overall project management in specific product categories, development and implementation of sourcing strategies, sales accountability and development of new customers)

Mainland opportunities

Hong Kong is where the concept, research, product design,engineering, packaging design and sales are carried out, whereas the vast majority of manufacturing bases are in mainland China.

Merchandisers are likely to be in demand in mainland factories for their skills in selling direct to retailers. This particularly applies to merchandisers' skills in assembling ranges of products.

In addition, Hong Kong merchandisers are valued for their ability to interpret buyers' requirements for mainland agents (who act as middlemen between retailers and factories).

However, competition with the new generation of mainland Chinese talent, who enjoy a growing knowledge of international business, could prove a threat to Hong Kong merchandisers.

Entry requirements

While a sound educational background is helpful, university degrees or post-graduate qualifications in marketing, commercial studies, business management or business administration are valuable but not mandatory within this field. However, some businesses prefer students with mathematics-related degrees, a high level of computer literacy and strong analytical and numerical skills.

Positions are not barred to unqualified candidates, as employers tend to place acumen and experience above qualifications. Commercial awareness and industry knowledge are also an asset. In addition, communication skills are highly valued, as is a knack for targeting customers.

In addition, an interest in industry trends and a passion for the product is welcome.

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Training opportunities

Diploma courses in fashion merchandising and retailing are offered by the Institute for Vocational Education (IVE), Kwai Chung.

Merchandising courses are offered by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).

The Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) offers a range of diplomas and certificates in apparel-related merchandising.

Diploma courses in apparel studies and merchandising are also offered by the Hong Kong Institution of Textile and Apparel (HKITE).

Short courses in cost management are offered by the SAP Academy, Hong Kong.

Merchandising-related courses in Hong Kong