Merchandising Management prepare for positions in management, merchandising, inventory control, sales promotion, public relations, or human resources. This field offers a wide variety of career opportunities with retailers, manufacturers, marketing research firms and product information services. In a global, diverse, and fast paced, competitive environment, merchandisers are involved in market analysis, product planning, sourcing, procurement, pricing, distribution and visual presentation of apparel and textile products to satisfy consumer needs.
Position Title | Projected Growth (2014-2024) | Preparation Required | 2015 Median Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Program Directors
Position Description:Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$89,670 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $89,670 per year |
Marketing Managers
Position Description:Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$140,660 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $140,660 per year |
Sales Managers
Position Description:Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$130,400 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $130,400 per year |
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Position Description:Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$51,200 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $51,200 per year |
Cost Estimators
Position Description:Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$64,810 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $64,810 per year |
Purchasing Managers
Position Description:Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$114,130 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 4 | $114,130 per year |
Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists
Position Description:Prepare, plan, and operate multimedia teaching aids for use in education. May record, catalogue, and file materials.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$48,220 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $48,220 per year |
Fashion Designers
Position Description:Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$73,180 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 3 | $73,180 per year |
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
Position Description:Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$29,790 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 3 | $29,790 per year |
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Position Description:Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$59,270 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $59,270 per year |
Advertising Sales Agents
Position Description:Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or the Internet. Includes individuals who obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailers to use sales promotion display items.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$61,690 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 3 | $61,690 per year |
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.
Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or the Internet. Includes individuals who obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailers to use sales promotion display items.
Prepare, plan, and operate multimedia teaching aids for use in education. May record, catalogue, and file materials.
Explore career information and other resources specifically tailored to Merchandising Management majors.
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