Manager, Visual Merchandising Emporio Armani (Los Angeles)
The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today, with 10,500 direct employees, 12 production plants, and more than 2,704 boutiques in 60 countries around the world. It designs, manufactures, distributes, and retails fashion and lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, home interiors, fragrances, and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, and A|X Armani Exchange.
Overview:
The Manager, Visual Merchandising (LA) position is an integral part of the support offered to territory department stores and/or free-standing retail stores on the West Coast to strategize and implement the merchandising of all covered brands and help drive shop sales, ensuring proper Armani visual standards. You will lead by example, be intellectually curious and strategic, while remaining open to feedback.
The position is based in Los Angeles and covers the region south to San Diego.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Overview of Critical Duties:
- Photo library of shop conditions prior to and after a visit.
- Create store visit reports.
- Manage and execute shop opening merchandising process.
Drive Results
- Analyze product results across all assigned doors to evaluate successes and opportunities.
- Develop action plans to drive growth or course correct where needed in partnership with Store Leadership.
- Leverage awareness of the market, competitors, and local client activation strategies to analyze business performance relative to the competitive landscape and local trends.
- Partner with stores to drive business through strategic visual merchandising decisions, including timely replenishment and markdown execution.
- Establish a regular cadence of visual walk-throughs to evaluate the business and strategically adjust visual presentation, with a special focus on underperforming locations and preparations for upcoming events.
Brand Excellence
- Collaborate with business leaders and peers to ensure a seamless delivery of visual presentation within all locations.
- Coordinate the visual implementation of window displays, merchandising, and special events across all brands.
- Ensure that visual merchandising and presentation reflect brand standards and compliance with directives.
- Ensure that stores present a selling floor that is neat, clean, organized, and reflects the correct visual image.
- Preserve the integrity of the brands and ensure flawless execution of brand identity and strategies.
- Cascade knowledge of the brand and collections to ensure the brand(s) are effectively represented in the marketplace.
- Implement and adjust directives for your assigned region.
Operational Excellence
- Accountable for ensuring workplace safety and operational excellence in all locations.
- Ensure proper and efficient maintenance of all back-of-house systems, including receiving stock shipments, transfers, markdowns, and handling of defective merchandise.
- Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures.
Qualifications & Skills
- Computer proficiency (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in a similar visual merchandising leadership role, ideally with luxury experience.
- Experience working in DMS and department store locations.
- Experience with strategic planning, visual presentation, and merchandising strategies.
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills and the ability to influence partners and lead teams.
- Experience collaborating with HQ based outside the US.
- Ability to travel when required, both domestically and internationally, including driving with the use of a personal vehicle.
The appointed candidate will be offered a salary within the range of USD $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 based on experience, plus the opportunity for a bonus, a comprehensive benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, various paid time off programs, employee discount/perks and retirement plans with employer contributions. The position is based in Los Angeles and covers the region south to San Diego.