Resume Example
Merchandising Manager Resume Example
Show assortment strategy, inventory turns, and margin performance. This sample focuses on profitability.
Executive Sidebar
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Keywords
Sample bullets
- Improved sell-through from 62% to 78% through assortment refresh.
- Reduced markdowns by 20% with tighter inventory controls.
- Raised gross margin by 3 points through pricing optimization.
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking
- Negotiation
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
Certifications
- CPIM
- CSCP
- Retail Math Certificate
Why this works
- Highlights margin and sell-through improvements.
- Shows disciplined forecasting and inventory planning.
- Demonstrates vendor and assortment optimization.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to Write a Merchandising Manager Resume
Highlight Merchandising Leadership
Feature years of merchandising experience, categories managed, and scope (stores, revenue). Include experience with planning, buying, and allocation.
Showcase Financial Acumen
Demonstrate experience with open-to-buy, margin management, and inventory turnover. Include budget responsibility and sales productivity.
Quantify Business Results
Use metrics like comp sales growth, margin improvement, and inventory turn. Show impact on category performance.
Include Vendor and Supplier Management
Highlight experience with vendor negotiations, product development, and supply chain collaboration. Include private label experience.
Demonstrate Strategic Planning
Include experience with assortment planning, seasonal strategy, and trend analysis. Show ability to translate consumer insights to product decisions.
Summary Examples
Good vs. Bad Resume Summaries
“Merchandising Manager with 8 years leading $50M women's apparel category. Achieved 12% comp growth and improved margin 200 bps year-over-year. Increased inventory turn from 3.2 to 4.5. Manage team of 5 buyers and planners.”
Shows category size, growth, margin improvement, turn, and team leadership.
“Senior Buyer/Merchandiser for 150-store specialty retailer. Launched private label program generating $8M in first year sales. Reduced markdowns 25% through improved allocation. Manage $30M open-to-buy with 98% in-stock rate.”
Store count, private label success, markdown reduction, and OTB management.
“Merchandising professional with experience in retail buying. Good understanding of trends and consumer preferences.”
Too vague, no metrics, doesn't show business impact.
“Assistant buyer seeking merchandising manager role. Support experience with assortment planning.”
Support role isn't management experience.
Action Verbs
Power Words for Merchandising Manager Resumes
Common Mistakes
What to Avoid
- ✗Not specifying category size and responsibility scope
- ✗Missing comp sales and margin metrics
- ✗Omitting inventory turn and productivity measures
- ✗Being vague about vendor relationship experience
- ✗Not showing team management and development
- ✗Missing planning and allocation methodology
Salary ranges
| Level | US | EU | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | USD 70,000-85,000 | EUR 48,000-58,000 | CAD 80,000-95,000 |
| Mid | USD 85,000-110,000 | EUR 58,000-75,000 | CAD 95,000-120,000 |
| Senior | USD 110,000-140,000 | EUR 75,000-95,000 | CAD 120,000-150,000 |
US hot markets
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Dallas
EU hot markets
- London
- Paris
- Berlin
Canada hot markets
- Toronto
- Vancouver
FAQ
Common questions about this role
What should merchandising managers emphasize?
Sell-through, margin impact, and inventory turns.
Which metrics help most?
Sell-through rate, margin improvement, and markdown reduction.
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