(USA) Merchandising Lead - job 1 of 4

As a Merchandising Lead at American Greetings, your primary responsibilities include servicing assigned retail locations by merchandising and organizing product displays, maintaining inventory levels, and ensuring an exceptional presentation of our products. You’ll communicate with management regarding any service needs and collaborate with retail store personnel to build strong working relationships. Additionally, you will be responsible for planning your weekly schedules using a company-issued tablet.

To apply for the Merchandising Lead role at American Greetings, you need to be at least 18 years old and have the ability to read, write, and understand English. While no prior experience is necessary as we provide comprehensive training, you must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and have access to reliable transportation and internet. It's also important to be technologically savvy to utilize company-provided devices efficiently.

The starting pay for a Merchandising Lead at American Greetings is $13.50 per hour, with the potential to increase to $14.30 after six months and to $15.00 after one year of continuous employment. These rates can vary based on specific locations, making it an attractive opportunity for those looking to grow within the company.

As a Merchandising Lead at American Greetings, you can expect a flexible work schedule averaging around 5 hours per week, with the potential to increase to 15 hours per week during peak holiday seasons. The ability to work additional hours before and after major holidays is a requirement, allowing you to enjoy a schedule that accommodates your personal life while also contributing to our celebrations mission.

Yes! American Greetings is committed to your success and provides paid training for all Merchandising Lead positions. This training ensures you are well-prepared to meet the demands of the role, helping you to develop the skills needed to efficiently manage merchandise and create outstanding displays in retail locations.

While American Greetings provides training for the Merchandising Lead position, it can be beneficial to share any previous retail or customer service experience. Discuss specific tasks you performed, such as product organization or interacting with customers, to show your familiarity with the retail environment.

It's important to approach any challenging situation with professionalism and empathy. You might describe how you would listen to their concerns actively and collaborate to find a solution that meets both their needs and the company's, showcasing your strong communication skills.

To ensure effective time management, I would prioritize tasks based on their impact on store displays and inventory. Planning my schedule in advance, using a checklist to track completed tasks, and remaining adaptable during busy periods would be essential strategies, demonstrating my ability to maintain organization under pressure.

Express your passion for helping people celebrate special moments as this aligns with American Greetings' mission. Discuss the company’s values, your admiration for their products, and the potential for personal growth within the organization to show your commitment and enthusiasm for the role.

I would regularly assess and refresh product displays to maintain visual interest. Incorporating seasonal themes and ensuring a neat and tidy presentation are key tactics, as well as organizing inventory management to keep products readily available for shoppers, displaying my attention to detail.

Highlight your comfort level with technology and any relevant experience you have using tablets or similar devices. Explain how you would embrace the provided tablet to streamline communication and task management, illustrating your tech-savvy nature and adaptability.

I believe effective communication is the most critical skill for a Merchandising Lead. It fosters collaboration with store employees and management, ensures clear understanding of merchandising goals, and facilitates an organized approach to display setup and inventory management.

Building relationships with retail associates requires approachability, active listening, and demonstrating respect for their knowledge and experience. I would prioritize open communication and work to provide support and encouragement, creating a positive working environment that benefits everyone involved.

Discuss a specific instance where you had to manage a tight schedule, detail the steps you took to prioritize tasks effectively, and share the positive outcome that resulted from your planning and execution. This shows your ability to navigate time constraints successfully.

Before a busy holiday season, I would review past product performance, prepare a strategic merchandising plan, and ensure all necessary inventory is in place. Additionally, I would communicate proactively with store teams to align schedules and ensure that every associate is prepared for the increased workload, showcasing my forward-thinking approach.