What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visual Merchandising Manager position at Ashley Northeast?
The VM is responsible for executing and achieving all corporate visual merchandising strategies and business goals. The VM is accountable for fostering and maintaining an inclusive and collaborative work environment that drives business results, promotes amazing guest experiences, and maintains a highly engaged team of store employees. The VM may have multiple store responsibilities and effectively manages all day-to-day functions of stores including the guest experience, visual merchandising, operational excellence, and employee engagement.
Essential Functions
Merchandising/Visual
- You are always on stage (Engage, Educate, Enthusiasm, Ear to ear smile, Eye contact) Organize and conduct store meetings with clear actionable and effective communication and professional presence demonstrating in-depth Product Knowledge of the merchandise.
- Implement and execute all corporate visual merchandising directives and ensure the execution of effective merchandising strategies.
- Lead store merchandising assortment walkthroughs by analyzing sales data to visual merchandising and following up with actionable steps to drive store assortment optimization.
- Ensure proper signage is being utilized to market in-store products effectively.
- Follow operating visual standard procedures inclusive of signage, presentation of all displays, fixtures, and all furniture collections.
- Responsible for the maintenance of all areas in the showroom and warehouse ensuring organization and cleanliness.
- Create unique, personalized, memorable, and repeatable experiences by coordinating store facilities maintenance upgrades, and repairs.
Operations
- Keep a high level of peer-to-peer accountability while managing, driving, and auditing stores to obtain 100% compliance with all visual processes as well as Operations, Guest Experience, Finance, Delivery, and Payroll.
- Eliminate waste by improving processes, leading and conducting biannual store inventories in collaboration with the Store Operations Team.
- Create unique, personalized, memorable, and repeatable experiences by coordinating store facilities maintenance upgrades, and repairs.
- Eliminate waste by improving processes, managing, and conducting store inventories in collaboration with the Store Operations Team.
- Over-communicate the “Why” behind everything and Build and maintain effective communication with members of the corporate office, property management, and other store teams.
- You are always on stage (Engage, Educate, Enthusiasm, Ear to ear smile, Eye contact) organize and conduct store and corporate meetings with clear actionable and effective communication and professional presence.
- Exhibit proficiency in computer programs used by the Company including: Word, Excel
Sales Generation
- Follow store operating procedures to support the sales team to drive overall sales.
- Place a high priority on the needs of our team members by coaching them to best self to deliver an exceptional guest experience utilizing the leadership toolkit to transfer product knowledge.
- Be relentless about amazing our guests and passionate about our communities by collaborating with Regionals and Marketing team to maximize all special events such as VIP and Grand Openings.
Customer Service
- Follow our standard operating procedures by utilizing work instructions and ensuring that all team members are properly and consistently providing an amazing guest experience.
- Be radical about our team members to make guest experience decisions that also support the mission statement & core values of the company by resolving all pending situations quickly and effectively in collaboration with direct stakeholders.
- Create unique, personalized, memorable, and repeatable experiences by coordinating store facilities maintenance upgrades, and repairs.
Human Capital
- Always encourage team members on their best self-journey by Maintaining a focus on continuous learning and development by actively onboarding and training team members in alignment with our core values and the way we play.
- Execute and deliver performance appraisals for direct reports to identify opportunities and strengths to place qualified individuals as new openings become available ultimately.
- Address conflict quickly, directly, and privately with the intent of building a stronger relationship by leading courageous coaching for successful meetings with store team members in alignment with our core values and mission statement.
- Make work enjoyable by coordinating and driving team member benefit programs, engagement events, recognition, and celebrations for store team members.
- Participate in manager and cross-training programs to elevate leadership performance and advance on self-best journey.
The VM may occasionally perform non-exempt duties, such as unloading trailers or merchandising as needed for proper store operation. The VM will also perform other duties as assigned from time to time; have the ability to lift, lower, push or pull furniture up to and in excess of 100lbs and to stand for long periods of time.
Schedule Expectations
- The VM is scheduled to work a minimum of 40 hours per week; the number of hours worked will increase during specific Market events, holidays, blackout periods, vacation coverage, or for other business needs.
- Regular attendance at home stores and coverage at adjacent regional stores, and support for projects at all stores for business needs are essential functions of this position.
- 25-50% travel within the geographic region.
Education & Experience Requirements
- BA or BS degree in retail management, visual merchandising, graphic design, interior design, marketing or related field required; Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of education.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in retail visual merchandising or design required; furniture retail experience preferred.
- Three to five years of supervisory experience required.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance