I figure on/off I've been involved with Mystery Shopping/Promotions/Merchandising for over a decade now. While it's been great, I feel I've hit that point where while I enjoy field work I want to move more into management.

Anyone know where to even look? Or how to place an open ad if you would stating I am looking to advance beyond a simple rep?

I would start by letting the companies I work for know that I am interested in more opportunities with them.

By stop accepting low ball offers like survey.com, snapaudits, cast, etc......

OldDog,
Years ago, after I had worked for a merchandising company for about 7 years, my work kept getting lots of compliments, and when an opening for a regional manager's position came open, I knew that if I had applied for it I would have gotten it. But I was not interested in that, because I knew how much work would be involved, and how it would take me from home more than I cared to be. However, another rep with this same company, with whom I worked frequently, and became good friends, was just AWESOME at her work, and she got the job! I know from talking with her over the years that the work in management for a merchandising company is HARD WORK!!! You've got to do the scheduling, the hiring, make sure the work is done, check up on your employees in a regional area (lots of traveling), and if an employee quits/gets fired/doesn't show up, then GUESS WHO the company expects to jump in and make sure the work is done....even if it means driving 2-3 hours or more one way, if it's in your region, to get the job done?? Yup. The regional manager. The perks and money may be better, but it was just not for me. This other person...she's just dynamic, wonderful and perfect for this job. So maybe let your upper management for whatever merchandising companies you work for know that you are interested in a management position if one ever comes open.

My first thought was to learn how to spell "industry" correctly, but I like guysmom's response better.

Truthfully, once you do this for a while you will get out of the blue calls from other companies that pay better. You then evaluate the hours and jobs and determine to keep on the lower paying companies because you can do the work with your eyes closed, do multiple companies or drop some.

Only you can determine that based on the number of hours and projects you get each week or month and how much you want to work.

Every supervisor I have ever had has been on salary but working 70 hours a week or more, and the pay averaged out to be about $6 per hour, and like guysmom said, they end up having to drive lengthy distances and fill in when merchandisers didn't show up, quit, or whatever. I would never, ever want to be in a managerial position for a merchandising company. My current supervisor was a really nice guy back when he was just a field rep. He turned into a real jerk a few months after he got promoted, and I am sure it's because he's overworked and stressed out. I am sure he will quit within a year or two, just like the other people who had his job before he did--since I have been with this company they have gone through four supervisors for my region.

We always have one person......

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Every supervisor I have ever had has been on salary but working 70 hours a week or more, and the pay averaged out to be about $6 per hour, and like guysmom said, they end up having to drive lengthy distances and fill in when merchandisers didn't show up, quit, or whatever. I would never, ever want to be in a managerial position for a merchandising company. My current supervisor was a really nice guy back when he was just a field rep. He turned into a real jerk a few months after he got promoted, and I am sure it's because he's overworked and stressed out. I am sure he will quit within a year or two, just like the other people who had his job before he did--since I have been with this company they have gone through four supervisors for my region.

Actually funny Jas, I ended up parting ways with a company years ago since I got tired of the turn over in management. Too many greenhorns.

@OldDog wrote:

I figure on/off I've been involved with Mystery Shopping/Promotions/Merchandising for over a decade now. While it's been great, I feel I've hit that point where while I enjoy field work I want to move more into management.

Anyone know where to even look? Or how to place an open ad if you would stating I am looking to advance beyond a simple rep?

A Closer Look is hiring Schedulers....

I agree with the person who said they would never want to work as a territory supervisor for a merchandising company, unless you are into driving a lot and working well over 40 hours per week (but the salary doesn't increase for the additional hours). The only way I see to really move up is if you live near a reputable national merchandising company that hires their reps as employees and can get a job in their office, which would mean you would not be merchandising any more. Also, in general, I only work for merchandising companies that hire you on directly as an employee. In my experience they pay much better, the assignments are steadier, and the time allotted for projects is much more flexible. In addition there are no self-employment taxes involved. Taking random jobs through job boards and/or working as a contractor wasn't nearly as lucrative for me.

I hate resurrecting an old thread, so I hope people will forgive me since after reading the responses here, I actually had a change of heart.

I've been in this industry (along with Mystery Shopping, promotions, ect) since 2003. No one can't say I haven't paid my dues, and honestly I've become dirt tired of every time I want a raise, or apply to a new client/company it feels like an uphill battle that I shouldn't be experiencing. Let's be realistic here, we all see cost of living go up, but how often do our rates go up? After as many years as I've put in, I shouldn't be the kind of fights I am doing, so I've made a major decision I am moving on.

I am doing the pre-course work, getting things in order to apply to one of several schools that will permit me to pursue a carrier in law enforcement.

From my perspective, I'll be able to make a bigger contribution to the community, I'll get better pay, and the odds of me losing my job to the net are a lot lower.

I admit I had a blast over the years, lots of good times, lots of crazy pay in small periods, but besides the reasons I mention it's been a life long dream of mine, and I have things enough in order I can pursue this course to it's end. You have to admit, when I send in my application, someone in HR is going to raise an eyebrow or three.

best of luck to you, OldDog. Glad you're able to actually realize your dream job. Be safe out there.

It really depends on what you want. As an IC I was making more money then when I was working for an agency the only way to advance from that was open my own.