Job Description
Position Title: Surge Set Team Member
Advertising Title: In-Store Merchandiser - Cosmetics
- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
- Updated: March 2023
Come join a high-performing ownership culture where accountability is embraced and teamwork is a fundamental practice. We live by a mindset of Proactive Accountability, Collaborative Stewardship, and Mission-Driven Execution, which means we care for other associates, take initiative, and solve problems proactively. We are a team where every voice is heard, and every person is empowered to contribute ideas and innovate for the collective good. Joining us means being part of a resilient, collaborative team where your commitment is not only valued but directly rewarded.
Position Summary
To make a positive contribution and measurably impact retail sales by executing cosmetic merchandising strategies with a focus on brand integrity and visual excellence. This role is responsible for the timely and accurate completion of cosmetic section resets and special projects in designated stores. The merchandiser will function as a vital, on-site representative, ensuring that product displays are not only fully stocked but also strategically presented to create an engaging "beauty wonderland" that drives customer exploration and sales. This work directly influences the customer experience and the overall perception of the brand in the marketplace.
Essential Job Functions
- Planogram Execution & Compliance: Read, understand, and meticulously implement detailed planograms and schematics—the foundational blueprints for product placement on shelves and fixtures. Collect all necessary materials, including fixtures, new products, and signage, and prepare the work area for a smooth reset. A crucial component of this is ensuring that products are always "faced and fronted," meaning they are pulled to the front of the shelf with the label positioned squarely toward the customer for optimal viewing.
- Strategic Visual Merchandising: Execute a merchandising strategy that goes beyond simple stocking. Re-position shelving and displays to align with the principles of effective visual merchandising, leveraging color, lighting, and layout to influence consumer behavior and encourage purchases. The goal is to create an aesthetically appealing display that reflects the brand's identity, as a clean, neatly arranged display conveys trustworthiness and professionalism.
- Reset Execution: Deconstruct and reset assigned sections in a methodical manner, working in a 3-foot section at a time to maintain order. Re-position shelving, install new fixtures, and place products according to the updated schematic, ensuring the new display is not only compliant but also visually compelling. This includes the physical tasks of breaking down sections to allow customers to shop and clean up the work area upon completion.
- Daily Operations & Troubleshooting: Have a working knowledge of all assigned projects and be able to address issues and questions related to resets and special projects. Be proactive in identifying and resolving common problems like out-of-stock items, misplaced products, or damaged goods that can negatively impact sales and brand image. This includes checking for back stock to prevent empty shelf space, which can kill sales.
- Technology & Data Integration: Complete forms and report section completion to supervisors, capturing critical data and documentation through a digital portal or mobile merchandising app. This includes taking photos of finished assignments to verify compliance and provide management with a real-time view of in-store conditions.
- Communication & Collaboration: Work as a collaborative team member to facilitate the completion of all reset work and special projects as scheduled. Frequently communicate with store and management personnel to provide status updates on ongoing projects and address any inventory or logistical concerns. Cultivating strong relationships with store associates and management is vital to a smooth workflow.
- Other Responsibilities: May provide direction and supervision of a part-time team responsible for the resetting of sections according to a detailed plan. Help identify opportunities to increase sales, provide customer assistance, and maintain a professional demeanor that effectively represents the company to store management.
Minimum Position Qualifications
- High School degree or GED required.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- 3+ years of retail merchandising experience, with a strong preference for experience in the cosmetic or health and beauty sectors.
- Highly motivated self-starter who can work with minimal supervision.
- Communicate (read, write and speak) fluent English.
- Understand how to read and execute shelf plans and planograms with a keen eye for visual detail.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and able to learn and utilize various computer and mobile merchandising systems.
- Capability to collaborate with others and contribute effectively to a team.
- Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
- Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritize and multi-task.
- Qualify as an insurable driver and maintain an excellent driving record.
- A smartphone with internet/data access is required. This position may require installation and utilization of an app on your smartphone to complete the requirements of the position. This may include, but is not limited to, requiring app permissions such as enabling location services, camera, and photo gallery access.
Minimum Physical Abilities
- Must be able to: legally operate a motor vehicle unassisted, remain standing and/or walking unassisted for several hours at a time, lift, push or pull 50 lbs. or more on a regular basis and occasionally up to 70 lbs., continuously reach up and bend down, reach in all directions and have unlimited upper body mobility, lift and extend 30 lbs. above the head, sometimes repeatedly, and have unlimited manual dexterity.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures (0-90 degrees).
Desired Previous Job Experience
- Retail grocery store operations and/or grocery merchandising experience.
- Expertise in resetting of grocery/HBC/GM sections according to a detailed plan-o-gram.
Competencies/Skills
- Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
- Building Strategic Working Relationships: Developing and using collaborative relationships with store, zone and division employees and peers to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
- Building Trust: Interacting with store, zone and division personnel in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
- Coaching: Providing timely guidance and feedback to surge/temporary team members to help strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem.
- Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in the English language.
- Customer Focus: Making retail customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive relationships with employees to better serve customers.
- Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
- Inclusion: Appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals; working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability and motivation for a direct effect on business results.
- Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; being proactive and generating innovative solutions in work situations.
- Negotiation: Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain support and acceptance from all parties involved.
- Safety Awareness: Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee and customer safety; upholding safety standards.
- Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
