Visual Merchandising Lead

Implement improvements to internal procedures and controls to improve efficiency, reduce costs and promote and protect the business interests of the company wherever possible. To carry out duties as tasked, ensuring that the company service standards, objectives, internal policies & procedures and company values are met or exceeded at all times.

SECTION 2. HOW YOUR JOB FITS INTO THE COMPANY

Why you are important to us: How the store looks and the customer experience has a massive impact on the success of the business and it is the responsibility of the Visual Merchandising Brand Head to manage and direct the VM team to maintain the brand visual merchandising guidelines that enhance the customer experience, increase the brand/store attraction and therefore, directly impact sales and the success of the brand.

Who you need to collaborate with:

1. External: You will need to establish working relationships with the mall representatives and/or external service providers and contractors (and the internal projects team) as necessary for the delivery of certain renovations and display projects.
2. Internal: You will need to continuously direct, monitor & train the VM team regarding current initiatives, promotions, displays and brand guidelines. The day-to-day implementation of the visual directives will require close cooperation with the ASM/SMs to ensure smooth and successful operational running, with regular reporting of feedback and information to the senior leadership team on all aspects of the operations that impact the success of the business.

The challenges that need to be overcome: The retail industry is a competitive business; as such, in line with the brand & company visual directives, you are responsible for creating a difference to the customer experience that stands out from the competition with a visually impactful environment that attracts and influences potential customers. You will need to constantly keep up-to-date with technology, trends and fashions in the industry as well as observing and listening to customers; passing on your skills and knowledge to the VM team as well as regular reporting to the senior leadership team on your observations and feedback to maximise the effectiveness of your assigned stores. The role requires a blend of the artistic and the commercial; requiring you to work with a wide range of specialists from designers, to architects, to contractors and internal VM, support and operations teams.

How we measure success: The data driven measures of success include ensuring the VM teams under your supervision manage efficient and effective processing and implementation of new products, promotions or display initiatives and overall compliance to SOPs and the brand/company directives. Success is also measured in the soft-skills areas such as team leadership and collaboration with the brand management teams, as well as levels of commitment, proactivity, a willingness to accept challenges, learning and increasing your knowledge & skills.

The knowledge and experience you need: A fashion or design related degree would be beneficial and/or 10+ years of fashion retail experience. 5+ years previous experience in visual merchandising is essential, with at least 5 years’ experience of working in ladies’ fashion retail outlets. Essential skills include an eye for design and an artistic flair with an extensive understanding of visual merchandising in a fashion retail environment. Team leadership and communication skills are a must, with a collaborative approach and a customer-centric attitude.

The essential skills and competencies that lead to success:

1. Technical Excellence: The appropriate knowledge and skills to perform the role effectively and understanding how the role connects to colleagues and other functions/departments.
2. Consistency & Quality: The ability to follow established systems & procedures whilst seeking continuous improvement to drive operational excellence in self and others.
3. Customer Focus: Demonstrating a customer first attitude and behaviour; consistently improving personal skills to enhance service delivery and the internal/external customer experience.
4. Collaboration: Works with colleagues and other teams or departments, gaining consensus to win-win solutions and ideas or actions that improve operational effectiveness and efficiency.

The competencies we expect from our leaders:

1. Customer Centric: Drives people & processes to improve operational effectiveness & enhance the customer experience.
2. Operational Excellence: Continuously seeking to enhance operational delivery and applying technology to optimise efficiency.
3. Results Orientation: Driven to achieve targets & goals; takes a commercial perspective in decision making to maximise the P&L.
4. Educator - Building Team Capability: Continuously builds the skills & abilities of the team to increase effectiveness & individual career progression.