Key Responsibilities:
Develop and implement a comprehensive visual merchandising strategy that aligns with the brand's purpose, vision, and values.
Lead the planning, creative and execution of all in-store displays, windows, and visual presentations to maximize product appeal and enhance the customer experience.
Collaborate with the marketing and store operations teams to ensure visual merchandising supports promotional and seasonal campaigns.
Lead the design and layout of all new stores and refurbishments, ensuring alignment with brand identity and customer experience objectives.
Collaborate with external design agencies and internal teams to create innovative and functional store designs that enhance the shopping experience.
Manage the store design process from concept to completion, including budget management and project timelines.
Establish and maintain visual merchandising guidelines and standards across all stores to ensure consistency and brand integrity.
Conduct regular store visits and audits to assess visual presentation and provide feedback and training to field teams.
Analyse sales data and customer feedback to refine and optimize visual merchandising strategies.
Prepare regular reports on VM performance, store design projects, and team productivity for senior leadership.
Work closely with the marketing, retail operations, and product teams to ensure visual merchandising strategies support broader business objectives.
Act as a key liaison between the head office and field teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment on all VM activities.
Collaborate with the brand strategy agency to ensure all VM initiatives are aligned with the brand's overall strategic direction.
Lead, mentor, and develop the head office VM team of 3 coordinators, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Lead and support the National VM Implementations Manager, ensuring successful execution of visual merchandising strategies at the field level.
Drive professional development initiatives within the VM team, ensuring the team stays current with industry trends and best practices.
Develop and manage the visual merchandising budget, ensuring all initiatives are delivered on time and within budget.
Negotiate with suppliers and vendors to ensure cost-effective procurement of visual merchandising materials and services.
Qualifications and Experience:
Degree advantageous (Visual Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field.)
Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in visual merchandising, with at least 3 years in a senior VM management role.
Proven experience in a senior VM role with a strong track record of leading teams and driving visual strategy.
Strong creative vision with an understanding of retail trends, consumer behavior, and brand positioning.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under pressure.
Skills:
Strategic thinking with a strong business acumen.
Creative flair with a keen eye for detail.
Strong leadership and people management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Highly organised and detail-orientated with an ability to influence and prioritise.
A team player with self-confidence, assertiveness, and motivation to succeed.
Excellent numeracy skills and experience working on a budget.
Proficiency in visual merchandising software and tools (Adobe suite & other).
Behaviours:
Develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives.
Understands and navigates dynamics created by processes, systems, and people.
Assesses and improves the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of various work processes.
Quickly adapts and acquires new knowledge, skills, and competencies in a rapidly changing environment.
Interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems.
Takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets.
Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.
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