Manager - Visual Merchandising

The Visual Merchandising Manager is responsible for Planning and executing Current and Upcoming Store refits and new store openings. The job holder should possess a clear understanding of Home Design concepts and merchandising principles and effectively lead/inspire a team of Visual Merchandisers and Designers to ensure appropriate in-store communication, and that the range presentation is accurate and presented in a world class way.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

The ideal candidate has the/ -are:

• MACRO: Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute Visual Merchandising Special projects and New store/Store Refits
• MICRO:  Ability Plan and implement store layouts, fixtures, and displays
• Timeline Management:  Skilled in managing project timelines, deadlines, and milestones
• Communication and Collaboration:   Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and operations
• Stakeholder management:   Ability to manage stakeholder expectations, including store managers, regional heads, and concept/corporate teams

ANALYTICAL AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS:

• Ability to analyze customer demographic information in conjunction with sales data to determine Visual Merchandising strategies for all projects
• Ability to identify and resolve design, logistical, and operational problems
• Adaptability:  Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, sales trends, and customer preferences, as well as market conditions.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

• Furniture industry knowledge, with some background in middle eastern furniture trends, products and customer preference
• Brand consistency:  Ability to maintain brand consistency across all visual merchandising elements

Offer

• Provide visual merchandising leadership and direction to the store through window implementation and in store merchandising
• Work in close collaboration with the Sales manager and In-store Logistics manager as part of the commercial team to ensure in-store merchandising is in compliance with Home Centre VM standards 
• Ensure implementation of product and standard guidelines based on direction from and communication to the Concept VM and share customer feedback
• Ensure that all displays in the store are aligned to the business requirements and the marketing calendar
• Responsible for optimizing the store layout to create a good overview and visual impact to provide the complete ‘Home Centre offer’ experience to our customers 
• Ensure implementation and execution of the Key merchandising Principles and Planograms
• Effectively plan monthly activities and appropriate changes in the store based on inputs from the Concept VM team and Senior VM Lead
• Conduct daily floor walks to ensure conformance to VM audit requirements and give measurable feedback on it
• Responsible for upkeep and timely updating of the RPS System
• Ensure clearly communicated price ladder for each function in every department in the store
• Monitor and continually seek to understand the commercial environment, competitor activity and market trends through competitor store visits and subsequent compilation of appropriate reports

Commercial Performance

• Continually monitor store performance against defined goals and take appropriate VM decisions that further grow our business and support profitability
• Monitor product movement & availability and provide solutions on slow selling items to the Store Managers of all relevant stores
• Pursue and ensure high quality, simplicity and cost-consciousness in the execution of our work through usage of global tools and best practices, as well as sharing this amongst all stores.

People

• Ensure consistent and transparent communication with the VM team on business expectations, priorities and store results
• Responsible for Performance Management of store VM Team through timely KPI setting, mid-year and annual performance reviews 
• Ensure L&D offerings (functional & behavioral) are provided to all VM team members in line with personal development plans including on the job coaching (during working hours), classroom training, in-store training (during working hours) and feedback sessions aligned to Home Centre processes
• Coach and develop the store VM Team to ensure high quality visual merchandising performance and succession planning in the store 
• Responsible for ensuring adherence to company policies and regulations with regards to attendance, dress code, showroom behavior and work ethics by the store VM team

Fluency in spoken Arabic is an advantage 

Computer literacy and working knowledge of Photoshop, Sketch-Up, Auto CAD and design related software