Merchandising Manager Jobs in California
Merchandising Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in retail, consumer packaged goods, apparel, and grocery, with openings at every level from assistant merchandising manager through senior director. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where companies like Target, Gap Inc., and Albertsons have long-standing California operations and consistent merchandising headcount. The most in-demand specialties are visual merchandising, category management, and omnichannel planning. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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LOCATION:
This position is located at 6440 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, California, 90803 United States
ROLE SUMMARY:
In collaboration with the store team, the Visual Merchandising Manager supports the operations of the store with an emphasis on merchandising and display to create an inspiring and dynamic visual experience for the customer.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Brand Experience
- Acts as a brand representative reflective of the company values; partners with the Display Artist and Department Managers on the creation of an engaging visual experience that appeals to the UO customer
- Delivers exceptional customer experiences that are engaging and personalized, yet efficient
- Takes a forward-thinking approach to the customer experience, in-store creative marketing, merchandising, activations, and supporting store teams to drive sales and create a compelling store environment
Leadership + Team Management
- Supports the recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and training of department and display candidates to drive bench and succession planning; maintains responsibility and ownership of own development and professional growth
- Sets clear objectives and expectations by coaching team members on store processes, business analysis, merchandise placement and standards, visual display
- Inspires team through shared fate, creativity, and empowerment; tailors motivation to the individual and leveraging the strengths of the team
Visual + Business Operations
- Manages visual direction of display and merchandising process from planning through execution to meet company expectations, budgets, and timeline
- Assesses store business using company reporting tools to identify department and global opportunities for the store; takes smart visual risks with measurable results to maximize sales and impact customer experience
- Drives an effective shipment and omni process to prioritize getting product to the customer; takes a forward-thinking approach to make a strategic plan for execution and recovery of sell through and markdowns
- Takes an active role in daily operating processes through payroll management and adapting the zone and visual support to the needs of the business
- Adheres to store’s safety standards, inventory accuracy, reduction of product loss, and upholds all company policy and procedures to support the profitability of the store
Communication + Relationships
- Facilitates the sharing of product knowledge, current trends, visual priorities and brand messaging through daily meetings with the team and customer
- Checks in with Store Manager, Assistant Manager, and Display Artist to maintain communication and teamwork on completing store objectives; encourage and demonstrate adaptability to affect change and successfully execute a shared vision
- Stays current and responds to interoffice communication while ensuring important Company information reaches all levels of the team; provides global product and visual feedback to Store Manager and District Manager
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Passion for UO brand
- 3+ years store visual merchandising and leadership experience
- Strong merchant skills and a history of delivering financial results
- Experience with floor planning
- Proven record of developing great talent
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the store including nights, weekends, and holidays
THE PERKS:
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit https://www.urbn.com/work-with-us/stores
PAY RANGE:
USD $27.00 - USD $28.00 /Hr.
LOCATION:
This position is located at 6440 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, California, 90803 United States
ROLE SUMMARY:
In collaboration with the store team, the Visual Merchandising Manager supports the operations of the store with an emphasis on merchandising and display to create an inspiring and dynamic visual experience for the customer.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Brand Experience
- Acts as a brand representative reflective of the company values; partners with the Display Artist and Department Managers on the creation of an engaging visual experience that appeals to the UO customer
- Delivers exceptional customer experiences that are engaging and personalized, yet efficient
- Takes a forward-thinking approach to the customer experience, in-store creative marketing, merchandising, activations, and supporting store teams to drive sales and create a compelling store environment
Leadership + Team Management
- Supports the recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and training of department and display candidates to drive bench and succession planning; maintains responsibility and ownership of own development and professional growth
- Sets clear objectives and expectations by coaching team members on store processes, business analysis, merchandise placement and standards, visual display
- Inspires team through shared fate, creativity, and empowerment; tailors motivation to the individual and leveraging the strengths of the team
Visual + Business Operations
- Manages visual direction of display and merchandising process from planning through execution to meet company expectations, budgets, and timeline
- Assesses store business using company reporting tools to identify department and global opportunities for the store; takes smart visual risks with measurable results to maximize sales and impact customer experience
- Drives an effective shipment and omni process to prioritize getting product to the customer; takes a forward-thinking approach to make a strategic plan for execution and recovery of sell through and markdowns
- Takes an active role in daily operating processes through payroll management and adapting the zone and visual support to the needs of the business
- Adheres to store’s safety standards, inventory accuracy, reduction of product loss, and upholds all company policy and procedures to support the profitability of the store
Communication + Relationships
- Facilitates the sharing of product knowledge, current trends, visual priorities and brand messaging through daily meetings with the team and customer
- Checks in with Store Manager, Assistant Manager, and Display Artist to maintain communication and teamwork on completing store objectives; encourage and demonstrate adaptability to affect change and successfully execute a shared vision
- Stays current and responds to interoffice communication while ensuring important Company information reaches all levels of the team; provides global product and visual feedback to Store Manager and District Manager
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Passion for UO brand
- 3+ years store visual merchandising and leadership experience
- Strong merchant skills and a history of delivering financial results
- Experience with floor planning
- Proven record of developing great talent
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the store including nights, weekends, and holidays
THE PERKS:
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit https://www.urbn.com/work-with-us/stores
PAY RANGE:
USD $27.00 - USD $28.00 /Hr.
See All 25 Merchandising Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Merchandising Manager JobsMerchandising Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Merchandising Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Gap7
- Urban Outfitters5
- Apple2
- Dollar Tree2
- Ralph Lauren2
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail15
- Airlines5
- Electronics & Hardware2
- Fashion & Apparel2
- Banking & Financial Services1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in merchandising manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in merchandising, business, marketing, or a related field required
- Three or more years of retail buying, category management, or merchandising experience
- Proficiency with merchandising planning tools and retail analytics software such as JDA or Oracle Retail
- Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating product assortments
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills working with buyers, planners, and marketing teams
- Knowledge of California consumer trends, regional retail markets, and seasonal demand cycles
Merchandising Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a merchandising manager in California?
Merchandising management in California has no state-issued license or exam, so the path runs through education and experience. Most hiring managers expect a bachelor's degree in merchandising, retail management, marketing, or business. From there, candidates typically move up through assistant buyer, merchandise coordinator, or category analyst roles at California retailers or consumer goods companies, building assortment planning and vendor management skills before stepping into a management position.
How much do merchandising managers make in California?
Merchandising managers in California earn a median of about $134,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,430 for the lowest 10% to over $300,580 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire merchandising managers in California?
Employers hiring merchandising managers in California right now include Gap, Urban Outfitters, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense mix of major retail headquarters, grocery chains, and apparel brands means consistent year-round demand across both corporate and regional merchandising teams.
Which California cities have the most merchandising manager jobs?
San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Burlingame have the most merchandising manager openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share because of its concentration of apparel, beauty, and consumer goods headquarters, while the Bay Area and San Diego generate demand through grocery, tech-enabled retail, and specialty retail corporate offices anchored there.
Are there remote merchandising manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical roles because merchandising managers regularly work with physical product, visit stores, and coordinate with vendor representatives in person. About 8% of merchandising manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those that are tend to focus on digital or omnichannel planning rather than in-store visual or floor-set execution.
How can I get hired as a merchandising manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a merchandise coordinator, visual merchandising associate, or category analyst role at a California-based retailer or grocery chain, then building toward management. Large California employers like Ross Stores, Levi Strauss, and Safeway hire into rotational or associate merchandising programs that develop candidates without direct management experience. A strong portfolio of planogram projects, assortment analysis, or vendor presentations, combined with coursework in retail buying or supply chain, gives candidates a clear edge in the California market.
Where can I find and apply to merchandising manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to merchandising manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 25 Merchandising Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Merchandising Manager Jobs