Visual Area Manager

This role will oversee four store locations in MA/RI (Chestnut Hill, Natick Mall, South Shore Plaza, and Providence Place). The ability to commute to these worksites (including multiple worksites in one day if needed) is an essential function of employment for this position.

Reporting to the Visual Regional Manager, Store Area Manager and Store General Managers, the Visual Area Manager will provide solutions to store specific visual and merchandising challenges using brand standards and corporate visual guidelines to maintain brand integrity. The Visual Area Manager will adapt corporate visual direction based on individual store need and inventory levels and drives sales through strategic merchandise placement and compelling displays.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Creates, orders, trains and maintains brand standards for visual presentation, cleanliness and organization throughout the store to ensure a consistent customer experience.
2. Plan and execute new item deliveries to ensure they are quickly placed and all garments are represented on the floor in full size runs with proper signage where needed.
3. Partner with corporate to create, prepare for and implement seasonal merchandising presentations and manage new visual merchandising initiatives.
4. Strong understanding of company plans, to create Monthly Planning with Store Managers/GM for layout & In-store presentation.
5. Partner with management to monitor merchandise sell through and replenishment utilizing sales reports.
6. Partner with store management on key visual merchandising decisions that have an impact on store workload and sales.
7. Ensure visually appealing and brand appropriate displays are created and updated to drive sell through and maximize the business.
8. Ensure lighting and signage is to company standard to highlight merchandise and display.
9. Support store management to ensure all store objectives are met (i.e.: customer service, operational initiatives, etc.).
10. Manage customer needs and exceed expectations by utilizing the UNIQLO service standard, following the UNIQLO Fundamental Principles and saying the 6 standard phrases.
11. Provide product and brand knowledge to employees and customers.
12. Exemplify and enforce company policy and procedure.
13. Assist with special projects as assigned by management.
14. Partner with Store Managers and Corporate Visual Managers to identify and resolve issues in the store.
15. Manage VMD in-store presentation budget and find most cost effective ways to control budget.
16. Maintain the highest in store visual standards across entire area.
17. Share best practices from your area stores to total company.

Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Proven visual merchandising ability within a high volume vertical retailer- at least 3 years experience.
2. Create and direct visual merchandising displays, manage priorities and execute initiatives.
3. Strong time management and organizational skills.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
5. Understand, interpret, and delegate based on HQ visual merchandising tools and direction.
6. Offer solutions to store specific visual and merchandising challenges using brand standards and HQ direction as a guideline.
7. Ability to identify potential Visual Merchandising opportunities and provide creative solutions.
8. Proven ability to create teams and partnerships.
9. Ability to train and develop a team.
10. Leads by example and is hands on.
11. Positive and professional attitude, is flexible and adaptable.
12. Ability to prioritize tasks and react to changing priorities.
13. Ability to effectively communicate with customers and store personnel.

Physical Requirements:

1. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
2. Ability to stand for long periods of time, read computer terminals, push, pull or move objects of at least 25 pounds.
3. Ability to effectively maneuver around sales floor and stockroom by repetitive bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, and climbing.

Schedule Requirements:

Ability to work a flexible schedule that meets the business needs.

Experience:

High School Diploma or GED required.

3 – 4 years retail visual merchandising or display experience.