Job Title: Field Merchandiser Coastal Region
Department: Loreal Luxe: Field Trade Team
Location: Remote - Coastal (KZN/WC)
Reports To: National Sales Manager
Job Summary:
The Field Trade Merchandiser is responsible for executing trade marketing strategies and ensuring optimal product presentation within designated retail accounts. This role involves implementing merchandising guidelines, monitoring product availability to ensure merchandising standards are met, managing promotional displays, and fostering strong relationships within store personnel and retail partners. The goal is to enhance brand visibility, drive sales, and maintain the Loreal Luxe premium image at the retail level. The Field Merchandiser is responsible for the effective planning, execution, and management of all in-store merchandising and promotional activities to maximize brand visibility. Drive Sales and enhance customer experience at retail touchpoints including maintaining all company assets and enhance the customer experience at retail touchpoints. This role involves close collaboration with marketing, sales, Retail Design and external vendors to ensure timely and impactful deployment of POS materials across various retail channels within the Coastal Regions including Namibia.
Key Responsibilities:
Merchandising Execution:
o Implement and maintain Loreal Luxe visual merchandising guidelines and planograms across all assigned retail locations.
o Installation of all POS materials, including displays, testers, brochures, signage, and promotional items, in collaboration with marketing, commercial, Retail Design Teams and External Suppliers
o Ensure proper placement, pricing, and display of products, adhering to brand standards and promotional strategies.
o Liaise with Field Sales Team & Retailers on specific store needs and provide tailored POS solutions. Capturing on the requests on Main/POS Request File
o Oversee the set up and dismantle of Centre Courts, promotional displays, point-of-sale (POS) materials, and seasonal promotions and give feedback to all parties
o Ensure that the customer journey is aligned to the Loreal Luxe Standards in all stores in line with Audit Reports
o Implementation of regional marketing campaigns at the point of sale, and changes of visual campaigns
Stock Management & Reporting:
o Monitor stock & tester levels, identify out-of-stock situations, and communicate replenishment needs the sales team to ensure merchandising planograms is adhered to
o Track product movement, sales performance, and competitor activities within assigned stores and feedback to the sales team
o Collect and report on key merchandising metrics, including display compliance, promotional effectiveness, and stock availability.
o Utilize merchandising tools and reporting systems to provide accurate and timely feedback.
Maintenance
o Ensure that all the Loreal Assets are in good state of repair to align to Loreal Luxe Customer Journey
o Adopt and report all maintenance queries via the Maintenance Report Process
Relationship Management:
o Build and maintain strong working relationships with store managers, department heads, and retail staff to ensure effective collaboration and secure optimal merchandising space.
o Educate in store personnel on Loreal Luxe merchandising standards.
o Act as a brand ambassador, representing Luxe in a professional and positive manner to our retail partners.
o Build, Retain and collaborate with external suppliers to ensure Loreal Luxe is well presented
Promotional Activities:
o Ensure the correct and timely implementation of all national and local promotional campaigns.
o Verify that promotional pricing, signage, and messaging are accurately displayed.
o Provide feedback on the effectiveness of promotions and suggest improvements.
o Liaise with RDVM on any updates and identify any areas of concern (Expired, damaged or non-aligned POS.
Market Intelligence:
o Gather competitive intelligence on merchandising strategies, product launches, and promotional activities of competitors.
o Report market trends, consumer insights, and retail challenges from the field to the trade marketing and sales teams.
Problem Solving:
o Identify and resolve merchandising issues, such as damaged displays, incorrect pricing, or stock discrepancies, in collaboration with store branded staff and the sales team.
o Proactively address challenges to ensure continuous improvement in retail execution.
o Take initiative towards maintenance Solutions
Qualifications:
• A degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field is a plus.
• Experience: 3 - 5 years of experience in retail merchandising, visual merchandising, field sales, or a similar customer-facing role, preferably within the beauty, FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), or retail industry.
Skills:
o Strong visual merchandising aptitude and attention to detail.
Organizational Skills:
o Exceptional organizational and time management abilities, with a strong attention to detail.
o Effective communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building rapport with diverse individuals.
o Ability to work independently, be self-motivated, and manage a flexible schedule.
o Basic analytical skills to understand sales data and identify trends.
o Proficiency in MS Office Suite o Physical ability to lift and move display materials, set up fixtures, and stand for extended periods.
o A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation are typically required, as this role involves frequent travel between retail locations.
Project Management:
o Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, from planning to execution, within set deadlines and budgets.
Communication:
o Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of liaising effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Problem-Solving:
o Proactive and resourceful, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions quickly.
o Collaboration: A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills, able to build and maintain effective working relationships.
Analytical Thinking:
o Ability to analyze data and feedback to derive actionable insights for POS optimization.
Retail Acumen:
o Understanding of retail environments, consumer behaviour, and merchandising principles.
Working Conditions:
o This is primarily a field-based role, requiring frequent travel to various retail locations within a designated territory.
o Requires standing, walking, bending, and lifting moderate weights (e.g., product boxes, display materials) throughout the day.
o May require flexibility in working hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, especially during peak promotional periods.