Manager, Visual Merchandising - Global

MANAGER, VISUAL MERCHANDISING - GLOBAL

JOB DESCRIPTION:
In partnership with US and Global teams, this role is responsible for setting the retail visual and marketing direction for WSI stores in all global markets. This role is accountable for both company-owned and franchise markets. This role partners with U.S. Visual Merchandising, stores organization and franchise partners to define and execute visual strategies that elevate our brand presence, drive sales, and create exceptional in-store experiences for our customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Visual Strategy Development: Develop and refine comprehensive visual merchandising strategies aligned with overarching brand objectives, financial goals, and ensuring consistency across all owned and franchise markets.

• Create seasonal visual direction for global retail locations

• Adapt US brand maps to reflect market relevancy by store, including strategies that appeal to the local markets.

• Establish guidelines for product placement and substitution needs by market

• Work closely with brand visual team to communicate direction to store teams as weekly mark-downs, floor sets and signage changes take place

• Develop subject matter expertise on display, signage, and packaging to meet local standards - understand product legislation in each country to ensure product displayed is compliant and relevant.

• Collaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Merchandising, Marketing, Retail Operations, Store Design, Ecommerce and Creative to ensure alignment and integration of visual initiatives with broader business strategies.
• Store Design and Layout: Oversee the development and execution of store design concepts and layouts, optimizing space utilization and creating visually compelling environments that drive foot traffic and sales.
• Visual Merchandising Standards: Define and uphold visual merchandising standards, ensuring consistency and excellence in execution across all retail locations in all markets.
• Training and Development: Develop and implement training programs and resources to educate store teams on visual merchandising best practices and empower them to deliver exceptional in-store experiences. Drive accountability of execution through strong partnership with in-country teams.
• Performance Analysis: Monitor key performance metrics related to visual merchandising initiatives, analyzing data to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement while meeting/exceeding financial goals.
• Budget + Calendar Management: Manage signage and display budgets effectively, allocating resources strategically to support the implementation of visual merchandising programs, ensuring execution to budget and strong vendor management. Create and execute annual Global VM calendars, delivering on-time retail activities.
• Innovation and Trend Analysis: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and innovative approaches in visual merchandising, continuously exploring new ideas to enhance the customer experience and drive business results.
• Leadership: Responsible for coaching, developing and managing one direct report.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/COMPETENCIES:

• 8+ years progressive experience in visual merchandising with multi-store responsibility, preferably in a Global retail environment
• Experience managing others and leading a team
• Ability to travel to global locations + domestically
• BS/BA required in design, art, or related degree
• Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, In-design, Excel, Microsoft Suite
• Strong understanding of retail operations, consumer behaviour, and market trends.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful visual merchandising strategies that drive sales and enhance brand perception.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Cross functional collaboration experience. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across business units, promoting knowledge sharing and driving efficiencies through teamwork.
• Creative thinker with a keen eye for design and a passion for innovation.
• Ability to write and speak effectively
• Prioritize effectively and organize work based on urgency and importance
• Correctly identifies problem and is resourceful and/or innovative in finding solutions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to be mobile when setting up store floor set for extended periods of time. Ability to lift and mobilize medium to large items, up to 75 lbs., while utilizing appropriate equipment and safety techniques.

BENEFITS:

Once you are here, you can look forward to a wide variety of benefits designed to help you grow, personally and professionally, to keep you healthy, to prepare you for the unexpected, to care for your family and to build a secure future. Depending on your position and your location, here's a look at what you might be eligible for:

• A generous discount on all Williams Sonoma Inc. brands through multiple shopping channels
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays and other time-off programs
• Health benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance; health and dependent care tax-free spending accounts; medical, family and bereavement leave; same-sex domestic partner benefits; short- and long-term disability programs; life and travel insurance; an employee assistance program
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Location specific sample sales
• A business casual work environment
• San Francisco based bike share program
• Time off to volunteer
• Matching donations to qualifying nonprofit organizations
• Company-sponsored community involvement
• Various discounts on local businesses

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.