Merchandising Lead

Department: Sales & Marketing

Location: Nairobi 

Reports to: Ag. Country Business Development Manager

Our client in the Fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) Industry is looking to appoint a talented and experienced merchandising lead to create, oversee, and implement merchandising strategies.

Job profile 

To directly execute market activities on Merchandising – Housekeeping, Stocking, Shelf-Life Tracking, Execution of Promotions Plans, Monitoring Competitor activities, Merchandising Team Development, among other tasks as may be assigned; be the on-ground person driving the execution of all merchandising activities, monitoring performance and reporting outcomes vs expectations with corrective actions.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Provide stewardship and direction to Merchandisers to enable target (volume & value) achievement. 

• Daily on-ground outlet visits/supervision and coordination with Sales Executives, Business Development Managers to ensure Merchandising Strategies are well executed on ground and reported daily for review.

• Weekly Planning, Execution and Reporting of sales Volume targets for respective Merchandisers and outlets. 

• Plan on Merchandising personnel daily, weekly, monthly journey plans and activities based on assigned route plans.

• Ensure 100% compliance to use of Field Sales Team Management application (SENRI).

• Monthly Reporting on Merchandisers task performance and sharing of improvement plans.

• Optimize Retail operations – ensuring all Orders placed and deliveries are done on time, reducing any route to market delays (via direct supply or distributors).

• Monitoring of competitors activities in outlets.

• Execution, Monitoring and Reporting on planned promotions.

• Management of in-store Below The Line activations.

• Address and close on merchandising Team issues escalated, within shortest TAT.

• Training and development of new merchandisers to ensure the Team is well equipped to deliver.

• Establish and maintain superior customer relations.

• Ensure correct product mix in the outlets is attained.

• Ensure availability of product at all time’s i.e., Zero stocks out in all outlets

• Create product push through ensuring 100% stock pressure, proper visibility and 100% Planogram implementation for all product categories.

• Ensuring Adherence to FIFO (First in First out), and other product handling guidelines as set out in the Trade Returns Policy to ensure zero expiries and Trade Returns

• Maintain integrity and professionalism in the trade as you interact with customers.

• To report any problem regarding Food Safety Management System to relevant appointed authorities

Skills and qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business management, retail, or a related field

• 4+ years of experience in a similar position 

• Working knowledge of inventory software, order processing systems, Microsoft Office products such as Word and Excel.

• Must have experience in the execution of in-store merchandising standards

• A background in marketing, communications is preferred.

• Strong Leadership competency

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

• Must be creative and detail-orientated.