Assistant VM Manager - UKI

What You'll Do

The Role will be based in our London office and will report to the International Senior VM, Manager who is based in Paris.

Primary responsibilities include overseeing design in all physical retail environments, technical & operational execution of all visual merchandising requirements for UKI while ensuring strict adherence to global VM guidelines, brand standards and timelines.

This role will lead new retailer rollouts and permanent counters in department stores and specialty multi-channel retailers as well as large-scale pop ups, events.

This includes (but not limited to) permanent merchandising: Instore design (creation starting from retailer guidelines) with all VM displays, visuals and consumer-facing communication tools part of it with close collaboration with the UKI designer; planogram updates, NPD updates, pricing updates; temporary merchandising: pop-up and brand activations in key UKI retailers, projects coordination along with UKI designer and INT senior VM manager.

Under the supervision of INT Senior VM Manager, this individual will collaborate closely with the regional and global VM teams to ensure brand consistency and excellence in execution across all VM touchpoints. Additionally, on a project basis, they will partner with cross-functional partners within the UKI sales and marketing teams to ensure all VM executions are aligned to the UKI business objectives and priorities.

This individual must have an entrepreneurial spirit, strong VM design sensibilities and excellent time management skills to thrive and make an impact in a dynamic, fast paced environment of a rapidly growing and a category-disrupting brand.

What You'll Be Working On

VM, Pop-ups & Events

•Ensure consistent brand executions that adhere to Global guidelines and brand standards across all Sol de Janeiro retail environments

•Coordinate, review & approve detailed designs of all VM activations (permanent & temporary) with INT Senior VM Manager and UKI Designer.

•Own the update of all planograms in each retailer for all NPD launches & sharing these with retailers and field partners in a timely manner

•Oversee and support the development of any local unit, POS for NPD and small to medium VM activations/events

•Manage suppliers through a clear briefing process using design skills for all assigned projects, managing timelines & budgets to launch projects on time

•Coordinate all relevant timelines to retailers, sales, and marketing teams regarding key timelines in order to get speedy approval on all deliverables

•VM spending/budget ownership: tracking all VM spending and making sure to keep on track with given AOP, for both CAPEX and OPEX.

•Responsible for regular store visits with a focus on Flagship and top doors in partnership with the Sales & Education/Field team. Act on feedback in a timely manner to rectify all issues in the field

•Develop a reporting and maintenance process for our newly developed Field team for any issues within the field. Champion housekeeping and maintenance in store

•With support of the INTL Senior VM Manager, develop training manuals for our Field team as well as agency staff on VM best in class. Enforce high Visual Merchandising standards at all times

New Store Opening/Renovations

•Create planogram/product layout for new store designs in partnership with the Sales Team, using consumer and retailer insights as well as VM knowledge to inform our planograms and make suggestions for better shopper navigation

•Work with supplier to create new store opening collateral orders to ensure we have all the correct artwork and glorifiers ready to print

•VM dressing at point of launch, or guidelines to support

•Ensure our stores reflect the global and local VM strategy by adhering to the VM guidelines

Must Haves

•Minimum of 5 years’ experience

•Creative and good sense of design

•Relevant Product, Industrial, Interior or Retail design degree

•Software - competent with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite. Sketch up experience

•Understanding of print process for all in store 2D graphics

•Portfolio focused on beauty or luxury demonstrating all VM design stages

•Office 365 - Excel and Word capabilities required

•Coordination skills and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently

•Ability to come up with ideas and VM designs and bring them to life

•Focus on elevating self-navigation and in store consumer experience in all store environments, with guidance

•Experience managing vendor relationships

•Materials, manufacturing, and installation execution knowledge

•Experience in Boots/Sephora/Department Stores

•Ability to travel within the UK and Ireland for new store openings & events

•Must be comfortable working a 3-day hybrid office schedule

•Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines with a high level of detail and autonomy

•Clear communication skills and the ability to receive and integrate constructive feedback

•Strong collaborative mindset and ability to work with cross-functional teams, while maintaining creative consistency