Catalogue and listing executive: how to train and review the role
Creates and updates product listings on the store and on marketplaces: titles, images, attributes, prices and stock. Fixes listing errors and rejections and follows each marketplace's rules. Reports to the marketplace or brand manager and works to sale calendars.
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Share your requirementsWho usually fills this role
Often commerce or arts graduates with Excel skills, or former data-entry staff trained on marketplace tools. At hiring, test a small listing task with attributes, check care with spelling and units, and ask how they would spot a wrong category. Eye for detail and ability to follow templates matter.
Skills ladder
Stage 1
New joiner
- Uploads listings from a template
- Writes titles and bullets to a standard
- Checks images against the checklist
Stage 2
Independent
- Fixes listing rejections and quality scores
- Handles bulk uploads in spreadsheets
- Updates price and stock at sale time
Stage 3
Senior or lead
- Plans listing structure for new ranges
- Trains new executives and audits their work
- Works with ad and pricing teams on listing health
Training path
First weeks
- 1
Marketplace and store basics
The manager explains the marketplaces used, catalogue rules and the store backend. The joiner lists five items in a test account and the manager checks each field.
- 2
Listing template and style guide
Teach the title format, attribute list, units and image rules. The senior executive reviews every listing before it goes live.
- 3
Error and rejection handling
Show common rejection reasons and how to fix them. The joiner clears three sample rejections with a senior watching.
First year
- 1
Bulk upload and spreadsheet skills
Teach safe use of templates, formulas and checks before bulk upload. The manager reviews a sample upload and the error report.
- 2
Search and quality score awareness
Explain how keywords, images and complete attributes affect visibility. The executive tests improvements on a few listings and notes results.
- 3
Sale-time updates
Brief on price, stock and banner changes during sale events. The executive follows a checklist and the manager checks accuracy during the event.
Towards senior
- 1
Catalogue planning
The senior executive plans the structure for a new range, including variants and naming. The brand manager reviews the plan.
- 2
Auditing and coaching
The senior executive audits others' listings with a simple checklist and coaches them. The manager reviews audit trends.
- 3
Working with advertising and pricing
Teach how listing health ties to ads and price decisions. The executive attends a weekly session with those teams.
Performance review
A monthly 1-to-1 with the marketplace manager using listing audit results, plus a half-yearly review. Short check-ins before sale events.
What to measure
| Measure | How it is seen |
|---|---|
| Listing accuracy | Audit of attributes, units and images against the source data |
| Rejection and suppression handling | Marketplace error reports and time taken to clear |
| Listing quality score | Marketplace content score reports |
| Timeliness at launches and sales | Checklist completion against calendar |
| Bulk upload quality | Error report after uploads |
| Process discipline | Use of templates and change log |
Evidence to bring
- Listing audit sheets
- Rejection reports
- Content quality score reports
- Change log
- Sale-event checklist
Questions to ask in the review
- Which listings were rejected most and why?
- Where were product details unclear?
- How do you check data before uploading?
- What mistakes did you find in your own work?
- Which marketplace rule changed recently?
- What slowed you before the last sale?
- What would you like to learn about search or ads?
Pitfalls
- Training only with spreadsheets and not on marketplace rules
- Judging on number of listings instead of quality
- No audit of bulk uploads
- Failing to update staff when marketplace rules change
Questions about this role
No. Good listings need judgement about naming, category and images, which affects discovery and returns.
Use checklists, a second check for price changes and a clear rollback step. Review each error afterwards.
Yes, with a style guide, access controls and audits. Confirm contract and data terms with your adviser.