Visual Merchandising Manager

Job Description

We are looking for experienced, committed, and creative individuals to join our dynamic team as we devise and launch a new five-year strategy. You’ll be part of something impactful, we’d love to hear from you.

The Visual Merchandiser will play a crucial role in the future growth of our newly merged charity and the impact that we can achieve through partnership for people with sight loss.

Job description

The Visual Merchandising Manager will oversee the delivery of the visual merchandising principles and standards across the portfolio of existing stores and new stores, covering windows, shop floors, seasonal changeovers and annual retail activities. The post holder with also lead the development of store teams through visual merchandising training and coaching. The successful candidate will work closely with the Retail Development Manager to ensure that all activities are aligned with the charity’s strategy to drive growth in impact and income.

Working hours and contract                                                                             

Permanent, full-time

35 hours per week, working five days, primarily Monday to Friday but flexibility to work weekends is essential, especially when launching new shops.

Role responsibilities

Design Visually Appealing Displays:

• Develop and implement eye-catching visual displays in-store across the shop floor, windows, and point of sale (POS) to attract customers and encourage purchases in our charity shops, offering a range of merchandise, from clothing and accessories to household goods and media.
• Be instrumental in setting the commercial layout and VM of all existing and new stores within the retail development strategy.

Visual Merchandising Strategy:

• Develop and execute a visual merchandising strategy that aligns with the charity’s goals and vision.
• Stay informed about current visual merchandising trends and implement innovative ideas to keep the shops appealing.
• Manage the VM manual keeping it updated with relevant and new VM techniques.
• Train Store managers and volunteers on principles within VM manual to deliver consistency within shops.
• Build a seasonal calendar including key window changes, promotions and seasonal shop floor changeovers and be instrumental in the delivery across the stores.

Maintain Visual Standards:

• Ensure that the store’s visual standards are in line with VM guidelines, including cleanliness and organisation, across point of sale (POS), shop floor and windows.
• Build a suite of POS that delivers commerciality, highlights key messages, and promotes our mission.
• Create a regular retail VM guide for stores to adopt to ensure consistency within the brand messages across the portfolio.
• Conduct regular commercial inspections to identify opportunities to drive sales through stock and space management.

Inventory Management:

• Flag any issues with seasonal stock levels to the Area Manager, therefore ensuring a well-stocked and visually appealing shop floor.
• Utilise the sales, stock and space report to assist the shop management in delivering increases in sales from commercial shop floors across portfolio.

Promotional Campaigns:

• Work with the Comms team to execute promotional campaigns and events to boost foot traffic and sales.
• Create themed displays for special occasions, holidays, or fundraising events.
• Create a social media calendar to support the retail strategy and promote key seasonal changes and promotions.

Budget Management:

• Work within budget constraints to create impactful displays.
• Liaise with suppliers and source elements to enhance displays.

Management – being part of Vision Foundation / Fight for Sight                      

• Play an active part in the charity, including attending and contributing to all-staff meetings.
• Project management approach to merchandising and brand recognition through creating attractive window and shop displays
• Play a key role in enabling our retail operation to represent the charity and increase the knowledge of the local community about our mission and work.
• Empower the team to respond to all appeals and fundraising opportunities.
• Adhere to and enforce our safeguarding policies.

Other                  

• Required to adhere to the charity’s vision, mission and values.
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equality, diversity, and staff health and wellbeing principles.

View the job description in full here – VM Manager Job Description 2024 Final

Additional Information

How to apply:

Please forward a CV and supporting statement, outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role and motivations for applying for the role (two pages maximum), with the subject ‘Application for Visual Merchandiser’ to recruitment@fightforsight.org.uk