How to hire a General Merchandiser

How to hire a general merchandiser, step by step

Here's a step-by-step general merchandiser hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a general merchandiser job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general merchandiser
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The general merchandiser hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a general merchandiser to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a general merchandiser that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of general merchandiser salaries for various roles:

   Type Of General Merchandiser	Description	Hourly Rate
   General Merchandiser	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$9-21
   Stower	A stower is responsible for scanning a product and appropriately placing it to the right shelf for customer's consumption. Duties of a stower include inspecting the item for any defects and escalating damaged items to the supervisor ensuring adequately labeled products... Show More	$10-16
   Key Carrier	A key carrier is primarily in charge of opening and closing business establishments. Because they are typically the first team member to come into the workplace, it is often their duty to set-up alarm systems, clean the sales floor and other areas, arrange shelves or tables, and prepare for the incoming customers... Show More	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Sales Floor
   • Inventory Management
   • Back Room
   • Stock Merchandise
   • Product Knowledge
   • Working Independently
   • Merchandise Displays
   • Pallets
   • Product Displays
   • POS
   • Grocery Store
   • Customer Complaints
   • Stock Shelves
   • Back Stock

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage jewelry stock and inventory balances accurately.
   • Control inventory and compute pricing and enter inventory in the POS system.
   • Maintain a sterile and clean work environment and used daily math conversions.
   • Pack and fulfill web orders, setup pick-ups for delivery with FedEx.
   • Monitor and update price tags using POS program to make tags as needed for sales demands.
   • Send out transfers with packing lists, labels using Fedex and getting ready to have it send out.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your general merchandiser job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A general merchandiser can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, general merchandisers' average salary in louisiana is 49% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level general merchandisers 56% less than senior-level general merchandisers.
   • Certifications. A general merchandiser with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a general merchandiser's salary.

   Average general merchandiser salary

   $14.60hourly

   $30,372 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level general merchandiser salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated June 12, 2025

4. Writing a General Merchandiser Job Description

   A general merchandiser job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a general merchandiser job description:

   General Merchandiser job description example

   + Career Area Walmart Store Jobs
   
   + Job Function Walmart Store Jobs
   
   + Employment Type Full & Part Time
   
   + Position Type Hourly
   
   + Requisition 080131962GM
   
   What you'll do at
   
   Do you enjoy helping customers figure out and find what they need?
   
   From every day needs to special occasions, customers need you to take them to that special product. As a sales associate in Apparel, Entertainment, Toys, Sporting Goods -- or any one of our dozens of departments -- you can make someone's day better.
   
   You'll find that being a sales associate will keep you moving. It's up to you to keep your aisles neat and clean, work with multiple supervisors and fellow associates, stock shelves, and answer tricky questions -- you may even have to pitch in to help check out customers. The more you know about the store, the more successful you'll be.Duties and Responsibilities
   
   + Walk up to 5 miles each day while fulfilling online customer orders
   
   + Review customer orders, locate and select merchandise on the salesfloor
   
   + Ensure customer orders are filled accurately
   
   + Smile, greet, and thank customers with a positive attitude
   
   + Dispense customer orders quickly and accurately in varying weather conditions
   
   * For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, please see the actual job description.
   
   #storejobs
   
   About Walmart
   
   At Walmart, we help people save money so they can live better. This mission serves as the foundation for every decision we make, from responsible sourcing to sustainability-and everything in between. As a Walmart associate, you will play an integral role in shaping the future of retail, tech, merchandising, finance and hundreds of other industries-all while affecting the lives of millions of customers all over the world. Here, your work makes an impact every day. What are you waiting for?
   
   Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer- By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers, and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting, and valuing diversity- unique styles, experiences, identities, abilities, ideas and opinions- while being inclusive of all people.
   
   Hello, NW Arkansas
   
   With over 200 miles of trails, an emerging locally-sourced food scene, the world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum-NWA has something for everyone.
   
   Discover NW Arkansas
   
   + Art Crystal Bridges Museum
   
   Celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the beauty of art and the power of nature.
   
   + Culture Walton Arts Center
   
   Arkansas' premiere center for visual arts and entertainment.
   
   + Education The Amazeum
   
   An interactive children's museum that's fun for the whole family.
   
   + Commune Botanical Gardens
   
   42 acres of premiere public garden space.
   
   + Explore Devil's Den State Park
   
   Located on 2,500 acres, Devil's Den State Park is the perfect place to explore Arkansas' natural beauty.
   
   + come together Fayetteville Square
   
   The best of shopping and restaurants, right in the heart of Fayetteville.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right general merchandiser for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your general merchandiser job on Zippia to find and recruit general merchandiser candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit general merchandisers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general merchandiser

   Once you've selected the best general merchandiser candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new general merchandiser. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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