JOB PURPOSE
The Visual Merchandising Lead plays a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and sustaining dynamic in-store visual merchandising and styling guidelines that elevate customer engagement, encourage impulse purchases, and bolster upselling and cross-selling initiatives across all Ruff ‘n’ Tumble retail outlets.
Offer strategic leadership and guidance to the Visual Merchandising & Styling team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and creative excellence.
Partner with cross-functional teams, including Retail Operations, Commercial, E-commerce, Brands & Marketing, Category, and Product Development, to achieve established business goals.
Devising and executing store-specific visual merchandising strategies that align with brand identity, product offerings, and customer demographics is essential. This role involves meticulous seasonal styling and creative planning to enhance the shopping experience.
Craft and implement seasonal styling and photoshoot calendars with precision and creativity to align with brand objectives and market trends.
Distribute responsibilities to the VM team while maintaining strict adherence to established deadlines.
Collaborate with various departments to facilitate seamless execution of seasonal visual merchandising projects.
Develop and authorize all mood boards for campaigns and shoots, ensuring alignment with brand vision and objectives. Facilitate comprehensive in-store product knowledge and training initiatives to equip teams with the necessary expertise.
Provide comprehensive training to store teams focused on product expertise, line sheet interpretation, and styling strategies to enhance upselling and cross-selling efforts.
Develop and periodically refresh training materials focused on fashion product knowledge to ensure relevance and accuracy.
Convey seasonal styling narratives and curated product pairings to store teams while overseeing the execution of window displays and in-store visual presentations.
Supervise the implementation of window displays across every store location, maintaining uniformity and adherence to pre-approved thematic designs.
Ensure windows are changed promptly in alignment with established merchandising schedules.
Ensure all window displays, signage, tills, and acrylic displays are consistently maintained to meet cleanliness and presentation standards.
Organize products meticulously by adhering to specified color coordination, size categorization, and age-range specifications to maintain alignment with established merchandising standards.
Ensure cohesive and polished presentations for all product categories and demographics.
Ensure that accessories, footwear, mannequins, and visual displays are meticulously organized and presented in an appealing manner.
Source and curate props and creative materials to maintain consistent visual presentation standards across all retail locations. Oversee the styling of mannequins to ensure alignment with brand aesthetics and guidelines.
Guarantee that mannequins are dressed in complete, cohesive ensembles, including complementary clothing and carefully selected accessories.
Ensure meticulous cleanliness, balanced symmetry, and striking focal-point styling in all arrangements.
Ensure that merchandise displayed on mannequins is strategically positioned to drive customer engagement and boost sales conversions. Oversee all aspects of photoshoot operations, including coordination, execution, and final quality to align with brand standards and marketing objectives.
Oversee the entire process of photo shoot coordination, from initial planning through final execution and delivery, ensuring adherence to established timelines.
Oversee the logistics of merchandise transport for photo shoots while maintaining accurate records and facilitating timely returns.
Guarantee the prompt provision of images and videos for digital platforms, in-store displays, and e-commerce applications.
Conduct thorough research to identify suitable photoshoot locations and oversee the photography team’s operations. Perform in-depth analysis of industry trends and market developments to inform strategic decisions.
Analyze worldwide fashion, lifestyle, and design trends to shape and refine merchandising strategies.
Analyze and evaluate global industry leaders and top-tier visual merchandising methodologies to identify optimal strategies and innovations.
We seek candidates with a robust academic background and hands-on experience in the field. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in relevant technical skills, coupled with a proven track record of success in similar roles. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical abilities, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. A minimum of [X] years of professional experience in [specific industry/field] is required, along with [specific certifications or education, e.g., a degree in X or certification in Y]. Prior experience in [specific task or responsibility] is highly advantageous, as is familiarity with [specific tools, software, or methodologies]. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively are also essential.
Develops and maintains advanced technical expertise through continuous learning and practical application. Demonstrates proficiency in relevant programming languages, frameworks, and development methodologies. Applies analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot complex technical issues efficiently. Ensures adherence to best practices in software development, including version control, testing, and documentation. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate technical solutions that align with organizational objectives. Stays current with emerging technologies and industry trends to enhance system performance and innovation.
A bachelor’s degree—or an equivalent qualification—in Fashion, Business, or a closely related field is required.
Possessing a retail fashion certification can enhance one’s qualifications for the position.
With a minimum of six to seven years of hands-on experience in visual merchandising or fashion retail management, the ideal candidate will bring a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to the role.
Experienced in optimizing store layouts, fixtures, mannequins, and visual standards to enhance customer engagement and brand presentation.
Experienced in crafting fashion styling, organizing photoshoots, and developing cohesive looks, with a strong background in the industry. Demonstrates proficiency in creating visually compelling narratives through styling and editorial direction.
Demonstrates exceptional creativity alongside refined artistic sensibilities and a keen eye for color.
Demonstrates exceptional aptitude for strategic planning, effective prioritization, and efficient time management.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and possesses a refined visual acuity.
A skilled communicator with proven training and team leadership abilities.
Dynamic, team-oriented, and focused on achieving measurable outcomes.
We kindly invite you to submit your application by emailing your resume and cover letter to recruitment@ruffntumblekids.com. Ensure your submission includes all required documentation for consideration.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
6 - 7 years
