VISUAL MERCHANDISE MANAGER

Visual Merchandising Manager

The Visual Merchandising Manager is accountable for implementing a visual merchandising strategy to aid in the achievement of Ashley sales volume and financial objectives. This involves designing and executing visually-appealing, well-balanced store merchandise displays; managing incoming merchandise receipt and new product placement; ensuring a professional store experience for every guest; and maintaining a personal focus on continuous learning and improvement. Overall, the Visual Merchandising Manager is responsible for store visual activities that keep Ashley as the #1 home furnishings market leader and distinguish it as a brand that exemplifies style, selection, quality and value.

Essential Functions

• Designing and Executing Visually-Appealing, Well-Balanced Store Merchandise Displays. The Visual Merchandising Manager develops and delivers a high quality merchandise display by:
• Coordinating store displays based on floor plans and plan-o-grams for furniture, lighting and accessories in collaboration with the Regional Visual Manager, store management and staff.
• Executing floor moves or any other necessary changes consistent with the layout plan, customer demands and product focus to maintain a positive store image.
• Remerchandising displays, signage, point-of-sale and select areas regularly to maximize product sell through.
• Adhering to all visual merchandising standards and bulletins provided by the Merchandising Directors and in accordance with the Visual Merchandising Scorecard.
• Communicating regularly with the Regional Visual Manager on what has sold.
• Assisting in new store openings, as needed.
• Managing Incoming Merchandise Receipt and New Product Placement. The Visual Merchandiser coordinates merchandise receipt and new product placement by:
• Receiving and inventorying accessory merchandise and other product shipments in collaboration with the Warehouse Associate.
• Coordinating product tagging, felt-dotting and showroom placement.
• Working with the Regional Visual Manager to transition seasonal products in a timely manner.
• Ensuring a Professional Store Experience for Every Guest. The Visual Merchandising Manager assists fellow associates in ensuring a professional store experience for every guest by:
• Communicating Ashley's visual merchandising standards and involving the store team in the visual maintenance of the store.
• Completing store recovery processes throughout the day and maintaining store interior and exterior appearance with the assistance of the Warehouse and Housekeeping Associates, including the initiation of repair/maintenance of store lighting, fixtures, paint, flooring, etc.
• Ensuring the audio/visual impact (e.g., store music, sign height, etc.) is in compliance with Ashley standards.
• Maintaining a Personal Focus on Continuous Learning & Improvement. The Visual Merchandising Manager ensures a continued focus on performance improvement and personal/professional development by:
• Developing high levels of knowledge on all AHS business products and initiatives, as well as keeping up-to-date on fashion styles and trends.
• Managing and improving performance measures through use of Continuous Improvement tools.
• Performing regular competitive shopping to stay abreast of the local competitive environment.
• Participating actively in store meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions; mentoring store associates on merchandising basics and assisting in any training activities.

Nonessential Functions:

• In addition to the biannual inventory process, the Visual Merchandising Manager may occasionally perform non-exempt duties, such as unloading trailers, as needed for proper store operation.
• The Visual Merchandising Manager will occasionally travel to other locations, sometimes with short notice.
• The Visual Merchandising Manager will perform other duties as assigned from time to time.

Schedule Expectations

• The Visual Merchandising Manager is scheduled to work a minimum of 40 hours per week; the number of hours worked will increase during the holidays or blackout periods, for vacation coverage, or for other business needs.
• The Visual Merchandising Manager is scheduled for two (2) days off each week, except during holidays or blackout periods.
• Regular attendance at the assigned store in accordance with these schedule expectations is an essential function of the job and all job functions are performed at designated job location.

Education & Experience Requirements

• AA or AS degree in retail management, visual merchandising, graphic design, marketing or related field required; BA or BS degree preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Two years visual merchandising or design experience preferred; furniture retail sales or marketing experience helpful.
• Must be computer savvy.
• Must have advanced knowledge of all Microsoft Suites.

Job Type: Full-time