Sometimes accessible without diplomas or requiring more skills depending on the responsibilities, large-scale distribution jobs cover a very wide spectrum of positions in a sector that is constantly recruiting. From the head office From the warehouse to the store, the working environments are also diverse and can offer many prospects for development. Here we provide you with an overview of the key retail professions.
Headquarters
This is where all the commercial strategy supermarket chains. Usually occupied by executives, the posts of the head office go from management to marketing, through the communication and the purchases.
The role ofBuyer is to negotiate at the most attractive prices a large stock of products which will then be distributed among the various points of sale of the group. Often specialized in a specific field, the buyer follows a purchasing strategy well-defined and exercises his talents negotiator from different suppliers. The quantity of items to be ordered is determined in accordance with the sales managers and the managers of the shop. In the case of large distribution, the franchisor usually manages a central purchasing nationwide for all of the group’s stores. It is this one which takes care of the management of the products and the search for suppliers via calls for tenders.
Strategies communication and the promotional actions are led by a category manager whose primary mission is to optimize the sale of certain products as much as possible. In full swing, this profession involves knowing how to analyze precisely the purchasing logic of customers to meet their needs and anticipate their expectations in order to coordinate the assortment in store. In agreement with the brands concerned, promotions constitute the essential weapon of marketing professionals for a sales strategy effective in retaining customers.
Warehouse
Responsible for ensuring the store is supplied as quickly as possible, the people working in the warehouse must control stocks and manage orders. Among them are those responsible for the logistics system responsible for optimizing the methods of storage and transport of goods. Those logisticians must find the most economical and efficient method to ensure the introduction of new products on the shelves.
The storekeepers come to store the goods in the warehouse before ensuring their transport to the store. They are an integral part of the smooth running of logistics and are responsible for unloading the goods, checking them (quantity and quality), and then putting them away. They maintain stock status and prepare shipments.
the Quality Manager ensures that the products comply with the standards in force and that they meet the quality requirements of the company. They ensure regulatory and technological watch to update information media and represent the company to customers and suppliers.
The role of warehouse staff can sometimes go as far as transporting packages to the delivery docks, in which case they must be empowered to control forklifts through a forklift driver’s license. All warehouse professionals must wear standard safety shoes S1P Where S3 adapted to their function, even protective gloves, multi-pocket trousers and high visibility vests.
The shop
Under the supervision of director, professionals who work directly in stores fulfill multiple roles. The vendors Where commercial employees are responsible for arranging the products in accordance with the Department manager by ensuring the cleanliness of the department and the highlighting of the articles. They must be able to inform customers and therefore know their products perfectly.
the manager Where Department manager is responsible for the activity of a department, which involves negotiating prices with suppliers and properly managing stocks by setting prices and promotions with appropriate labeling.
Is the merchandiser that it is up to making the products visible in order to optimize sales with relevant highlights. L’window dresser then installs display cases and gondola heads to make the goods as attractive as possible.
Indispensable to the proper functioning of the store, the hosts Where cashiers record the prices of products purchased and collect payments before handing over to accounting. In the event of a problem, customers should be able to contact the person responsible for after sales service which guarantees the handling of returns and can call on technicians, if necessary.
Drive and delivery
In the case of structures offering customers the possibility of remote control, a trend which has been greatly accentuated with the health crisis, “drive“or”click and collect“are in place. When the preparation of orders is not done directly in the store but in a dedicated depot, the order pickers, or warehouse logistics agents, box items ordered by customers as well as their labeling for shipment. They must also ensure that the products are properly packaged.
In structures allowing distance selling, the use of delivery men is also essential. They are the ones who make deliveries to customers as quickly as possible, from the warehouse or point of sale to their home. Armed with their driving license, delivery people most often use a light vehicle or a scooter. They are generally attached to a company specializing in delivery.
