Merchandising Execution Supervisor
Career review from a person working in the job
How I Got The Job
My Education: BS in Marketing and Management
My Prior Experience: In college, I ran a small tourist boat rental cabin from a parent company.
My Job Profile
My Company: I work for a major retail corporation. I am a part of a new strategy team pilot program.
Job/Career Overview: I supervisor a team of 15-20 people involved in the merchandising tasks of a major corporate retailer. This team travels to all store locations in a geographic region to complete projects and tasks required by suppliers.
My day consists of balancing work hours and budgets while also supervising the team's progress in completing assigned tasks. In general, I will spend a third of my day supervising, a third doing paperwork, and a third communicating with corporate and store associates.
When in a position of Management, the most difficult process is constantly evolving your leadership skills. It may seem silly, but I also make time to do leadership role plays with my peers every month.
Love It? Hate It?
I rate this career 6 out of 10.
What I Love or Hate
The best part about my career is participating in the evolution of a pilot program. For example, when I started I had a three person team in one store than has expanded to a 20 person team that travels to six different stores. I also enjoy the fact that new projects are to be completed everyday, giving me variety day in and day out.
The worst part of my career is dealing with HR related issues for the team. Since I supervise a mostly remote team (meaning we are a separate entity than either store or corporate associates) the HR issues rarely have a standard operating procedure to follow.
My Career Tips
If pursuing a job in corporate retail, the subject you major in is not as important as your performance in obtaining your B.S.
You must always be ready and willing to relocate if you want to move up rapidly. If you limit yourself to one geographic location you will have fewer opportunities come along.
Always learn jobs that are 'horizontal' to your own so you are well rounded for any position.
Take as many leadership seminars or classes in college as possible and practice what you learn.
