Retail Design & Visual Merchandising Manager

Job Description

L'Oréal South Africa is looking for a dynamic and creative Retail Design and Visual Merchandising Manager to elevate our in-store brand presence. This crucial role involves translating our brand vision into captivating physical experiences for consumers. You will be responsible for designing and executing stunning in-store displays and merchandising strategies across all points of sale for our luxury brands, directly impacting sales and enhancing brand equity in the diverse South African market.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Retail Management, Interior Design, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in visual merchandising.
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in a managerial role, preferably within the beauty, fashion, or luxury retail sectors.
• Proven experience working with a diverse portfolio of brands in various retail environments.
• A strong portfolio that showcases successful visual merchandising projects and creative design skills.
• Exceptional creativity with a strong eye for aesthetics, detail, and brand presentation.
• In-depth knowledge of retail environments, consumer behavior, and visual merchandising best practices.
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• A results-oriented and strategic mindset.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other South African languages is a plus.
• Must be willing to travel frequently within South Africa and neighboring countries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive Retail Design & Visual Merchandising strategies aligned with global brand guidelines and local market needs for L'Oréal Luxe brands.
• Plan and manage the Retail Design and Visual Merchandising calendar, coordinating with marketing, sales, and retail partners.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify trends and drive innovation in consumer engagement.
• Conceptualize, design, and implement captivating retail displays, window presentations, and in-store fixtures.
• Oversee the production and installation of all visual merchandising materials, ensuring high quality and brand consistency.
• Work closely with external vendors, contractors, and agencies to execute visual merchandising elements.
• Provide clear visual merchandising guidelines and directives to retail partners and sales teams.
• Lead the Retail Design and Visual Merchandising team, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence.
• Conduct regular training sessions for retail staff on visual merchandising principles and standards.
• Manage the visual merchandising budget effectively, ensuring optimal resource allocation.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives through sales data and qualitative feedback.
• Prepare regular reports on performance, market trends, and competitive activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between global/regional visual merchandising teams and the local South African market.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to ensure integrated campaigns.