Visual Merchandise Manager

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Create and implement the Company's visual merchandising strategy.
• Ensure the visual merchandising strategy aligns with the Company's brand, products and target market.
• Generate sketches and concepts for visual displays.
• Finalise designs and create detailed floor plans for display areas.
• Source props, creative materials and accessories for displays.
• Change displays to support new product launches, festive periods and seasonal themes.
• Ensure consistency and uniformity of displays across multiple store locations.
• Liaise with buyers, marketing executives, retail merchandisers and other relevant retail professionals.
• Monitor costs and ensure work is delivered within budget.
• Research lifestyle, design and visual merchandising trends to inform the Company's strategy.
• Train staff on visual merchandising standards and principles of display.
• Conduct national bi-monthly and annual store audits across JHB, DBN and PE.
• Ensure visual merchandising standards are upheld across store layouts, designs and store revamps.
• Manage the annual critical path document for each campaign.
• Assist with the conceptualisation of product special offers and promotions.
• Work with the VM and Graphics teams to conceptualise campaigns and present them to EXCO.
• Manage in-store campaign displays across all stores.
• Project manage all prop and print production, both in-house and with external suppliers.
• Communicate audit findings and requirements to store managers and regional teams to ensure adequate stock levels of permanent fixtures.
• Conceptualise and execute décor for media launches, store launches, exhibitions, collaborations and in-house events.
• Perform any other functions reasonably required by the business.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Matric and/or relevant diploma or degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Spatial Design, Interior Design, Retail Management or a related field.
• Approximately 5 years' proven experience as a Visual Merchandise Manager within retail stores.
• Comprehensive portfolio demonstrating relevant visual design work.
• Working knowledge of current visual merchandising trends and best practices.

Technical Skills:

• Strong visual design and space planning ability.
• Proficient in developing and executing visual merchandising strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of design trends, retail best practices and customer behaviour.
• Strong understanding of store layouts and visual display principles.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of retail sales drivers.

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