Visual Merchandising Manager

Great Wolf Resorts hiring for Visual Merchandising Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, US

Position Summary: The Visual Merchandising Manager is responsible for creating engaging displays to enhance the shopping experience and drive sales. Key duties include visual planning and execution, adherence to brand standards, planogram development, inventory coordination, staff training, and budget management, while ensuring compliance with regulations. This role requires significant collaboration and travel to maintain visual standards across all retail locations. The individual in this role will report to the Director of Merchandise.

Responsibilities: 

1) Visual Planning and Execution

• Manage visual direction from planning through execution to meet company expectations, budgets, and timelines.
• Develop creative and innovative visual concepts for in-store displays, incorporating optimal fixtures and promotional graphics.
• Develop creative and innovative visual concepts for new product launches and markdown strategies

2) Brand Adherence and Communication

• Ensure all displays adhere to brand guidelines and effectively communicate the brand's message.
• Merchandise products to maximize visibility and sales potential, organizing displays by category or theme.

3) Planogram Development

• Create adaptable planograms tailored to individual store characteristics.

4) Business Assessment and Opportunities

• Use company reporting tools to identify merchandising opportunities within product placement, outfitting, and stock levels.

5) Inventory Coordination

• Work with the operations team to define and maintain recommended stock levels for featured products and displays based on sales.
• Coordinate replenishment as needed and strategize for sell-through and markdown recovery.

6) Customer-first Philosophy

• Flex schedule to support business needs, including operations and zone coverage.
• Contribute to a customer-first approach.

7) Staff Training and Support

• Train store staff on visual merchandising techniques and best practices.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to ensure consistency across all locations.

8) Industry Trends and Competitor Analysis

• Stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences to evolve and improve visual strategies.

9) Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and store operations to align visual merchandising with business objectives.
• Communicate regularly with key stakeholders for alignment and feedback.

10 ) Budget Management

• Develop and manage the visual merchandising budget, including expenses for displays, fixtures, signage, and props.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or brand integrity.

11) Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and safety standards related to visual merchandising, including fire codes, ADA requirements, and environmental regulations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in visual merchandising, fashion design, marketing, or a related field.
• 4-5 years previous experience in visual merchandising, preferably in a retail environment.
• Strong creative skills and a keen eye for design and aesthetics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) and knowledge of 3D rendering software is a plus.
• Proficiency in Excel
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively
• Knowledge of retail industry trends and best practices in visual merchandising.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to travel as needed to visit Great Wolf's properties