Merchandising Manager Jobs in Illinois

Merchandising Manager jobs in Illinois are consistently active across retail, consumer packaged goods, and wholesale distribution, with openings at every level from entry-level merchandise coordinator through senior director of merchandising. Chicago anchors the market as a national retail and CPG headquarters hub, while Schaumburg and Downers Grove host significant corporate buying and planning operations. Well-known employers with lasting Illinois footprints include Walgreens, Sears Holdings legacy operations absorbed by newer players, and PepsiCo's Chicago-area divisions, with the strongest demand in category management, planogram execution, and private-label development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles26
Top employerDollar Tree
Top cityGurnee, IL
Cities hiring23
Work type50% Hybrid
Top credentialDamaged goods handling

Showing 5 of 26+ Merchandising Manager jobs

Dollar Tree
Merchandising Assistant Manager
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Dollar Tree
Added 1d ago
Merchandising Assistant Manager
Dollar Tree
Urbana, Illinois
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Success
$18.5 - $19.25/hr
10,000+

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Dollar Tree
Merchandising Assistant Manager
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Dollar Tree
Added 2d ago
Merchandising Assistant Manager
Dollar Tree
Machesney Park, Illinois
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Success
$18.5 - $19.25/hr
10,000+

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Dollar Tree
Merchandising Assistant Manager
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Dollar Tree
Added 3d ago
Merchandising Assistant Manager
Dollar Tree
Schaumburg, Illinois
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$18.5 - $19.25/hr
10,000+

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Loomcraft Textiles
Sales & Merchandising Operations Manager
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Loomcraft Textiles
Added 3d ago
Sales & Merchandising Operations Manager
Loomcraft Textiles
Northbrook, Illinois
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$70k - $85k/yr
Hybrid

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Dollar Tree
Merchandising Assistant Manager
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Dollar Tree
Added 6d ago
Merchandising Assistant Manager
Dollar Tree
Chatham, Illinois
Business Strategy
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
$18.5 - $19.25/hr
10,000+

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See All 26 Merchandising Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Merchandising Manager Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Gurnee
2 jobs
Skokie
2 jobs
Urbana
1 job
Chatham
1 job
Chicago
1 job
Kildeer
1 job
Glenview
1 job
Wilmette
1 job
Crest Hill
1 job

Merchandising Manager Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Dollar Tree
    Dollar Tree11
  • Michaels
    Michaels4
  • American Eagle Outfitters
    American Eagle Outfitters2
  • Gap
    Gap1
  • Ulta
    Ulta1

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in merchandising manager jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, retail management, or a related field
  • Demonstrated experience managing product assortments, planograms, or category plans
  • Proficiency with retail merchandising software and inventory management systems
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends
  • Experience collaborating with buyers, vendors, and cross-functional planning teams
  • Familiarity with Illinois retail compliance standards and vendor agreement practices

Merchandising Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a merchandising manager in Illinois?

Most merchandising managers in Illinois begin with a bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, retail management, or a related discipline, then build experience in roles like merchandise coordinator, buyer's assistant, or category analyst. Illinois requires no state-issued license for this role. Employers in Chicago and the broader metro typically promote from within retail operations or planning departments, so starting in store-level merchandising or a vendor-facing analyst role is the most common path upward.

How much do merchandising managers make in Illinois?

Merchandising managers in Illinois earn a median of about $155,280 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,760 for the lowest 10% to over $282,890 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire merchandising managers in Illinois?

Employers hiring merchandising managers in Illinois right now include Dollar Tree, Michaels, and American Eagle Outfitters, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of national retail headquarters and CPG companies in the Chicago metro makes it one of the more active states for corporate merchandising roles.

Which Illinois cities have the most merchandising manager jobs?

The cities with the most merchandising manager openings in Illinois are Gurnee, Skokie, and Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to the corporate headquarters of major retailers and consumer brands, while suburban markets like Schaumburg and Downers Grove attract openings tied to regional distribution centers and mid-size specialty retailers that cluster along the I-90 and I-88 corridors.

Are there remote merchandising manager jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're limited. Merchandising manager work is often tied to physical store visits, vendor meetings, and planogram execution, which keeps most roles on-site or hybrid. About 75% of merchandising manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with the fully remote opportunities concentrated in digital merchandising and e-commerce category management functions.

How can I get hired as a merchandising manager in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is a merchandise coordinator, retail analyst, or buying assistant role at one of Illinois's large retail or CPG employers, such as Walgreens, Ace Hardware, or Ferrara Candy. Many Chicago-area companies run structured rotational or associate buyer programs for recent graduates. Building proficiency in planogram software and earning a certificate from a retail industry association adds a competitive edge when competing for those entry-level openings.

Where can I find and apply to merchandising manager jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to merchandising manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and location preferences, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 26 Merchandising Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Merchandising Manager Jobs