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Merchandising Strategy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a strategic, commercially minded Director of Merchandising to build and lead Halo's merchandising function as our brand and omnichannel business continue to scale. This newly ...

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Director of Merchandising

Hickory, KY · On-site

$145K - $165K/yr

If you're an experienced merchandising leader who enjoys building strategy, leading teams, and driving business growth, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact with a growing brand. What ...

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Merchandising Strategy information

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$5

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How much do merchandising strategy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for merchandising strategy in the United States is $22.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is merchandising a legit side hustle?

Merchandising can be a legitimate side hustle involving tasks like product placement, inventory management, and sales promotion in retail environments. Success often depends on skills such as organization, communication, and familiarity with retail tools, and it may require flexible hours or part-time commitments.

What does merchandising strategy mean?

Merchandising strategy is a plan used by professionals in retail and merchandising roles to determine how products are presented, priced, and promoted to maximize sales and profitability. It involves analyzing customer preferences, market trends, and inventory management to create effective product assortments and displays. Skills in data analysis and understanding consumer behavior are often essential for developing successful strategies.

What is the highest paying merchandiser job?

The highest paying merchandiser roles are typically senior or managerial positions such as Merchandising Director or Senior Merchandising Manager, which can earn six-figure salaries. These roles often require extensive experience, strategic planning skills, and leadership abilities within retail or consumer goods companies.

What is the difference between Merchandising Strategy vs Merchandising Coordinator?

AspectMerchandising StrategyMerchandising Coordinator
Primary FocusDeveloping long-term plans to optimize product placement and salesExecuting daily merchandising tasks and store displays
Required SkillsAnalytical skills, market research, strategic planningOrganization, communication, attention to detail
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, collaborating with marketing and sales teamsRetail stores, assisting store managers and staff
Common CertificationsBusiness, marketing, or related degrees; strategic planning experienceRetail or merchandising certifications; on-the-job training

In summary, Merchandising Strategy focuses on creating overarching plans to boost sales and optimize product placement, often working in an office environment. In contrast, Merchandising Coordinators handle the execution of these plans on the ground, managing store displays and daily merchandising tasks. Both roles are essential but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Merchandising Strategy, and why are they important?

To thrive in Merchandising Strategy, you need strong analytical skills, business acumen, and a background in marketing, retail, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with data analysis tools (such as Excel, Tableau), inventory management systems, and sometimes experience with retail analytics platforms is essential. Strategic thinking, collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for influencing cross-functional teams and adapting to market trends. These skills ensure the ability to develop data-driven strategies that maximize sales, enhance customer experience, and drive profitability in a competitive retail environment.

How does a Merchandising Strategy professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive sales performance?

Professionals in Merchandising Strategy frequently work closely with buying, marketing, supply chain, and analytics teams to optimize product assortments, pricing, and promotional plans. This collaboration ensures cohesive strategies that align with business goals, respond to market trends, and improve the customer experience. Regular meetings, data-sharing sessions, and joint planning initiatives are common, allowing for swift decision-making and unified execution of campaigns. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as priorities can shift quickly based on sales data and market feedback.

How much do merchandisers get paid?

Merchandisers typically earn between $12 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of their responsibilities. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end, while experienced merchandisers or those working in specialized retail environments can earn higher wages. Some roles also offer bonuses or commissions based on sales performance.

What is merchandising strategy?

Merchandising strategy refers to the planning and execution of activities that determine how products are selected, presented, priced, and promoted to maximize sales and profitability. This includes decisions about product assortment, store layout, inventory management, and marketing tactics. The goal of a merchandising strategy is to ensure that the right products are available at the right time, place, and price to meet customer needs and drive business growth.
More about Merchandising Strategy jobs
Infographic showing various Merchandising Strategy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,054 per year, or $22.6 per hour.
Director, Merchandising Strategy

Director, Merchandising Strategy

Gap, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Gap rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 275 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 104 rated fashion retailers


Job description

About the Role
The Director, Merchandising Strategy at Athleta reports to the Head of Merchandising. In this role, you will help shape and drive long-range product and category strategies, identify growth and innovation opportunities, and support the development of seasonal strategies and execution plans that advance Athleta's long-term goals.
This is a highly collaborative and visible role that partners closely with leaders across the Athleta Product organization, as well as cross-functional teams such as Brand strategy, Customer Insights, Design, Inventory Management, Marketing, and Finance. Success in this role requires strong strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and the ability to connect insights across data, customer trends, and business priorities. You will need to balance big-picture thinking with hands-on execution, while influencing cross-functional partners and helping drive strategic initiatives from concept through action.What You'll Do
• Partner with leaders to develop annual and seasonal category strategies that are
clear, actionable, and aligned to brand and business priorities.
• Translate strategic ideas into practical plans and recommendations that influence
key business decisions, including pricing, assortment architecture, productivity,
and growth opportunities.
• Support Athleta's innovation agenda by leveraging customer insights, market
trends, and competitive intelligence to help shape product strategies and go-to-
market plans.
• Identify pricing, productivity, and assortment opportunities that support both
brand relevance and profitability.
• Develop strategic presentations and narratives that clearly communicate
business opportunities, recommendations, and progress against goals to senior
leadership.
• Analyze business issues and use strategic, analytical, and financial frameworks
to evaluate options and inform decision-making.
• Partner cross-functionally to support and improve innovation pipeline processes
and ways of working.
• Contribute to broader business planning efforts and special projects, including
AOP support, leadership team meetings, and transformation initiatives.
Who You Are
• 8+ years of experience in strategy, merchandising strategy, management
consulting, corporate strategy, or a related field, with strong knowledge of
apparel, retail, customer, and digital.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to structure
ambiguous questions and generate insights through data and analysis.
• Experience translating consumer, market, and business insights into strategic
recommendations.
• Strong collaboration and influence skills; able to work effectively across functions
and levels in a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tell clear,
compelling stories grounded in data.
• Comfortable working both strategically and tactically, with a willingness to roll up
your sleeves and drive execution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, influence stakeholders, and contribute to a
high-performing team environment.
• Experience in apparel, retail, or consumer-focused industries.
• Familiarity with category strategy, innovation planning, pricing, and go-to-market
strategy.
• Experience working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to drive
strategic initiatives.
• Passion for the Athleta brand, customer, and growth journey.

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