Merchandise Leader

Role overview

This position is responsible for leading the Fresh area and managing the merchandise team to deliver strong in-store visual merchandising standards. The role focuses on presenting products in a way that improves placement, attractiveness, and quality, while ensuring compliance with company procedures and all relevant legal obligations.

About the business

You’ll be joining Woolworths Supermarkets New Zealand, a major retail network with more than 185 stores and 20,000 team members across Aotearoa. The business is focused on making everyday life better for Kiwi customers and serves around three million New Zealanders each week. The culture is practical, energetic, supportive, and open to fresh ideas, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, learning, and mutual respect.

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of Fresh and guide the merchandise team to maintain excellent in-store presentation standards.
• Make sure products are displayed with strong attention to quality, positioning, and visual appeal to support the customer experience.
• Carry out regular walks and checks to confirm freshness and quality standards, especially in fresh food production areas.
• Maintain planogram accuracy, store cleanliness, stock loss controls, markdown execution, and campaign alignment across displays.
• Support and promote Own Brand products and help the team act as confident food ambassadors.
• Identify process gaps, perform operational health checks, and improve functional performance where needed.
• Provide leadership support, including stepping in as Acting Store Manager during scheduled shifts.
• Work collaboratively with others and contribute actively to team initiatives.
• Ensure merchandising work always complies with company policies and legal requirements.

What you’ll bring

• Strong problem-solving ability and sound critical thinking when handling complex situations.
• Experience building productive working relationships across teams and with stakeholders.
• Capability to lead a team through clear delegation, monitoring, coaching, and motivation.
• Confident communication skills with the ability to set expectations, deadlines, responsibilities, and performance standards.
• A data-aware and accountable approach, with the ability to use information to guide action and deliver accurate, timely work.
• A commitment to working in line with company values.
• Availability for four weekend shifts per month, including at least one Saturday and one Sunday, plus at least one evening each week until store close.

What you’ll experience

• Discounts across Woolworths Group brands and access to a rewards program that recognises purpose-driven work.
• Access to Sonder, offering free confidential 24/7 support for financial, medical, safety, psychological, and physical wellbeing needs for team members and their families.
• Exposure to a large global business with broad career pathways and opportunities across many disciplines.

Diversity and inclusion

The company values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Support can be provided during the hiring process for any needed adjustments.

Working approach

The organisation describes itself as friendly, practical, energetic, and innovative, with a collaborative culture that supports new ideas and ongoing development. Team members are encouraged to learn from one another, contribute improvements, and help shape better customer experiences.