Merchandise Associate

Job Title: Merchandising Associate

Location: Matawan, NJ (5 Days onsite)

Duration: Full-time

Job Description:

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Merchandising Associate to support the merchandising team by coordinating activities across Merchandising, Vendors, Stores, Advertising, and Distribution partners. This role plays a critical part in ensuring promotional activities, category management initiatives, vendor programs, and merchandising operations run efficiently and accurately.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, advanced Excel knowledge, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for the grocery and retail industry.

Key Responsibilities

Promotional & Offer Support

• Partner with Merchandisers to create promotional offers and implement manufacturer deal contracts within SAP.
• Review and quality-check weekly advertising materials to ensure accurate item setup, costs, retail pricing, and promotional execution.
• Assist in resolving promotional and pricing issues at the store level after campaigns go live.
• Support weekly promotional planning and execution activities.

Category Management & Analysis

• Analyze sales performance, consumer trends, and category results at both category and item levels.
• Monitor weekly gross profit and margin trends, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to support merchandising strategies.
• Maintain product hierarchies and ensure data accuracy across merchandising systems.

Meeting & Presentation Support

• Prepare promotional details, competitive market analysis, and supporting materials for merchandising meetings.
• Develop promotional planning documents including sales history, volume projections, pricing strategies, and profit objectives.
• Create professional presentations for business reviews, merchandising updates, and leadership meetings.
• Participate in vendor meetings and communicate key takeaways, action items, and follow-up opportunities.

Vendor & Event Coordination

• Coordinate vendor participation in company events, food shows, seminars, and special programs.
• Serve as a liaison between vendors and internal support teams to ensure successful event execution.
• Assist with the setup of new products, displays, promotional programs, and seasonal merchandising initiatives.
• Communicate merchandising opportunities and seasonal programs to store locations.

Operational & Administrative Support

• Support various merchandising projects and special requests.
• Assist with vendor setup, store credits, item maintenance, product distributions, and operational tasks.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate execution of merchandising initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation.

Required Qualifications

Skills & Experience

• Bilingual in Spanish and English (Required).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience creating reports, presentations, and business analyses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in the grocery, food distribution, retail, or consumer products industry.
• Experience working with SAP or similar ERP platforms.
• Understanding of merchandising, category management, pricing, promotions, and vendor management processes.
• Experience analyzing sales, profit, and market trend data.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail Management, or a related field preferred.