Visual Merchandiser, Luxury

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Visual Merchandiser role exists to develop and execute compelling visual merchandising presentation for our boutiques for luxury and premium plus cruise lines that captivate customers onboard. This role extends across all categories of product accountable for developing the presentation vision, sourcing fixtures, developing visual standards and training for shipboard crew to execute the vision. Our luxury portfolio is a rapidly growing business and this is a key role to help define how our luxury vision comes to life for customers. A typical day for this role might include a download of the merchandising strategy for summer itineraries for one of our cruise lines, negotiating terms with a fixture vendor, partnering with Marketing and Merchandising teams to integrate editorial signage about product and make stories within the visual presentation, developing planograms for a new boutique on a new ship build that is launching. In the end, it’s all about taking ownership of the onboard presentation that conveys a lifestyle presentation approach to the boutique that offers a captivating in store experience for our guests. This role reports to the VP of the Luxury Division with a dotted line to the Chief Marketing Officer

WHAT YOU’LL DO

1.    Design in-store visual merchandising presentations                     35%

Aligns with Luxury Division, marketing, merchandising, and planning teams to understand product placement and merchandising strategy to lead visual presentation and create Visual Merchandising concepts that bring select themes, curated moments, key brands/products, and visually appealing adjacencies to life in store
Prepares specific visual execution and planograms for new ship builds, featuring brand or editorial moments
Develops and executes creative Visual Merchandising concepts to support specific Merchandising and Marketing events and/or programs (e.g. curated product presentations, feature window displays, “Instagrammable” installations, press events)
Liaise with shipboard teams to adapt presentations based on season, itinerary, sell-through, onboard events, trend etc.
Partner with marketing to integrate visual materials, signage, and provide visual presentation support for in store events as needed
2.    Execution and Budgeting:                                                          40%

Ensure all planned window changeovers, and VM displays are carried out in a cost efficient, timely and smooth manner through either in person execution or virtually supported execution with onboard crew
Project manage renovations, new builds, fixture roll-outs, itinerary changes, holiday, MP&D program initiatives throughout the year for assigned cruise lines
Source, order and coordinate delivery of all VM materials and collateral (e.g. fixtures, window and event décor, tools, etc). Ensure PO’s, invoicing, and shipping are timely and on budget.
Sets guidelines and standards to ensure consistent execution of cruise line branding through visual merchandising initiatives
Manage allocated annual budget
Proactively identify needs and enhancements (e.g. fixture replacement and investments) to inform future budgeting
3.    Develop shipboard training and development                               25%

Implement ongoing learning and coaching materials to provide shipboard staff with general visual presentation knowledge to maintain compelling visual standards as inventory levels change
Partner with cruise line account teams to develop and maintain processes to review store presentations on an ongoing basis (e.g. store environment photo reviews)
THINGS YOU’LL NEED

Bachelor’s degree with focus in merchandising, design or similar
Minimum of 4-6 years Visual Merchandising experience in the luxury retail industry, with a portfolio across a range of product categories and brands to showcase

Experience presenting a visual merchandising plan within an editorial theme or lifestyle context
Ability to understand architectural drawings to extract key information
Proficiency with design software such as Adobe, AutoCAD, Revit, FOYR Neo or similar to render accurate/detailed 3D and 2D schematics
Ability to stay current with relevant trends across regions
Entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to adapt quickly
Strong communication, both in-person and through modern tools and platforms
Creative, solution-oriented approach to tasks and challenges
Excellent time management skills, ability to multi-task and work within deadlines
Aptitude with hand and small power tools
50% travel to support visual merchandising on ships.
Ability to safely lift and carry up to 35 lbs
ADDITIONAL THINGS WE LOVE

International experience
Experience in developing technical drawings for VM elements in partnership with vendors
ONE MORE THING

We’re looking for people that are pliable enough to grow and react appropriately as the role naturally evolves as the business expands. We love people with special sauce! Do you juggle, run marathons, plan secret dinner parties?   Be sure to let us know!

Tagged as: career, cruise, design, luxury, lvmh, merchandising, starboard, travel retail, VM