Visual Merchandising Trade Activations Manager

POSITION: Visual Merchandising Trade Activations Manager

DEPARTMENT: Marketing

LOCATION: London

REPORTS TO: Senior Visual Merchandising Manager

MISSION

As Visual Merchandising Trade Activations Manager, your primary focus will be to lead and manage end-to-end visual merchandising for the brand, from the initial design and concept development, through to final execution, adhering to timeline and budget constraints. Collaborating closely with the Senior VM Manager, you will play a pivotal role in maximizing the visual impact of our brand, and effectively implementing local trade calendar and launch strategies. Your expertise in visual merchandising project management and POS design will play a vital role in driving successful project outcomes. Attention to detail, collaboration with cross-departmental teams, and effective stakeholder and time and budget management will be key to your success. Ability to handle multiple demands and competing priorities is essential, as well as skills in self-management and proactive problem-solving, and adaptability to new challenges.

Job Responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

360 VM STRATEGY

• Work alongside the Senior VM Manager to develop creative and comprehensive Visual Merchandising strategies that align with brand standards, trade plan objectives and budgets.
• Collaborate with various departments to define launch/trade plan activity requirements, timelines, and deliverables. Regularly communicate project progress and manage both internal teams and our retail partners expectations.
  
  

MANAGEMENT OF FULL VM PROCESS

• Oversee the design and implementation of captivating and engaging launch/ trade plan in-store displays in accordance with the UK marketing calendar and trade plan, inclusive of but not limited to counter updates, bespoke POSM, and Sites and Windows.
• Create visual mock-ups and prepare presentations for all launches to ensure that all designs adhere to brand guidelines and are validated by UK and HQ Team.
• Self-manage to ensure launch/ trade activations are delivered on time, reporting progress, and identify and mitigate risks to ensure adherence to schedule.
• Provide comprehensive launch and trade activity guidelines and planograms, ensuring adherence to brand standards for visual merchandising across all touchpoints.
• Manage the forecasting and allocations of international POSM across all product categories.
• Provide in-store support during launches and store refits and new launches across the UK, ensuring that visual merchandising guidelines are followed and implemented effectively including the ordering of central POSM and testers, production of visuals and bespoke POSM, and provide planograms.
• Conduct regular reviews for all VM activity. Gather quantitative & qualitative feedback and provide recommendations for snagging/ future improvements.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in visual merchandising.
  
  

BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Fully manage yearly VM budget, closely following the marketing and trade plans, ensuring they align with the wider brand strategy and forecasts.
• Track and analyse the VM spend per door, reporting on cost distribution trends by retailer/location, to support strategic budget planning
• Update budget trackers accordingly on a monthly basis and at regular review periods.
• Manage PO process for all projects with assistance from VM intern
  
  

SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT

• Effectively manage and continuously appraise external suppliers, building and leveraging strong working relationships to ensure the best quality-price ratios, timely delivery and high-quality execution of visual merchandising activities
  
  

COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Management of a VM intern
• Supervise the day-to-day work of the VM Intern on launch / trade plan related tasks, providing guidance and support as needed.
  
  

Profile

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS: 5 years+ of relevant experience in Visual Merchandising, preferably in the beauty industry or luxury retail environment. Strong understanding of launch and permanent visual merchandising, POS design, and retail standards. Proven VM/ Project management skills with excellent attention to detail. Proven budget management and cost management skills. Excellent sourcing, procurement and supplier management skills. Ability to collaborate cross-departmentally and manage stakeholders effectively. Strongly self-managing and proactive, creates own measures of success. Successfully able to handle multiple demands and competing priorities. Strong commercial acumen with a focus on ROI analysis. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Prior experience with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, or IWD is advantageous