The Visual Merchandising Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery of the Otter visual proposition within our garden centre and catering facilities in both new and existing markets. The VMM will work alongside the Group Visual Merchandising Manager, Branches Visual Merchandising Manager, and the General Manager to ensure the store maintains the strongest visual proposition within the garden centre market.
Reporting To:
* Mark Bradbury, General Manager, Lymington
Working with:
* Group Visual Merchandising Manager (GVMM)
The Purpose of the Role:
To implement effective visual merchandising in-store to maximize sales and to train and coach the team on delivering brand expectations. The VMM will manage the day-to-day visual activities of the branch and work alongside the GVMM, BVMM, and the GM to support the long-term strategy for the company. This is a very hands-on role.
Requirements
Brand and Business Focus
* Use commercial acumen and business awareness to make visual decisions in collaboration with GVMM, BVMM, and GM.
* Support the Garden Centre Manager with new season launches, delivering the guidelines planned with or by the GVMM and supporting sign-off with the GVMM.
* Work with the GVMM, BVMM, and GM to deliver specific VM strategies to support market development.
* Support the garden centre teams daily to keep updated with visual strategies and VM brand knowledge.
* Produce design ideas and implement these to inspire our customers using the best use of the store’s unique space and layout.
* Identify, in conjunction with the Garden Centre Manager, where the store's sight lines and focal points are located and use these to the best advantage.
Communications
* Support communication ensuring they are relevant for the garden centre market.
* Support the implementation of seasonal campaigns throughout the garden centre categories, providing feedback on strengths and weaknesses of these campaigns to head office.
* Assist the Garden Centre Manager in implementing all of the above and react commercially when relevant.
* Support the store in maintaining good work practice while handling props and storing props/catalogue props with minimum wastage. Liaise with GVMM and BVMM on each store's inventory and keep it updated.
* Support the storage of props at OSM, updating the overall business catalogue and inventory of props to ensure it’s up to date and all props are recorded with photographs, sizes, osmo, price, etc.
Supporting the Business
* Work with the Garden Centre Manager on seasonal campaigns from project sign-off to store launch day, including photographing and recording seasonal launches and sharing with the group and GVMM.
* The VMM will support the GVMM, BVMM, and GM with new modernized store setups and conduct brand-specific training with the implementations.
* Support the GVMM with buying and marketing teams to influence stock allocations to ensure credible trends are sent to each market.
* Assist the centre in delivering excellent presentation standards through the accurate and timely implementation of seasonal updates and events in line with brand merchandising and marketing principles.
* Keep up to date with customer trends on social media and local market in gardening centres, supporting the marketing department with professional-looking photographs to support social media campaigns regularly.
* Support GM with store standards throughout the year to achieve consistency across all branches.
* Minimize losses and work in a cost-effective and productive manner, creating a safe working environment.
Working with People
* Build credible relationships with the Garden Centre Manager and team in-store.
* Support the delivery of the VM strategy for each season with a collaborative approach.
* Share knowledge and experience with the Garden Centre Manager and other team members, taking ownership of personal development.
* Assist the GVMM and BVMM in delivering regular upskilling/training sessions on Visual Merchandising throughout Otter.
* Support the Garden Centre Manager in delivering the best customer journey for our customers throughout the store to maximize sales.
Graphics and Workflow Management
* Collaborate with the GVMM and the marketing team for Otter to ensure all artwork for in-store use and seasonal campaigns launches in time for Garden Centre Managers to locally produce and implement in-store.
* Provide feedback on any specific branch requirements to GVMM and marketing regarding required images and signage needed to support campaigns & events.
Hours
* 8-hour shift
* Monday to Friday
* Weekend availability
Personal Specification:
* Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise at all levels.
* Currently at a management VM level or equivalent.
* Strong visual merchandising and styling experience.
* High level of self-motivation.
* Strong training and coaching skills, ability to motivate others.
* Keen interest in garden centers and knowledge of garden center retail and competitor monitoring.
* Computer literate with strong skills in Photoshop, InDesign, and Microsoft Office.
* Fully flexible to travel in the UK and internationally.
* A valid UK driving license.
* Experience working with structured planograms and have a keen eye for detail.
* Enjoy ‘getting stuck in’ and coaching the store managers and the team on Visual Merchandising principles.
* Have retail store supervisor experience.
* A drive to work alongside fun, inspiring, and ambitious colleagues pushing the boundaries across the whole business.
* Flexible to work some early and late starts.
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