Overview

Job Title: Franchise Manager, Visual Merchandising

Reporting Line: Senior Manager, Wholesale, Visual Merchandising

MAIN JOB OBJECTIVE

Deliver brand vision through VM strategies across all Franchise partners, supporting International teams to capitalise on local commercial opportunities whilst remaining on brand.

Responsibilities

Relationship Management / Communication:

• Build and maintain clear and consistent communication with members of the corporate office and international teams to ensure the brand message is clear across Franchise locations.
• Partner with international teams and build strong relationships with in-house marketing, communications and store development to plan and support new store openings, marketing events and regional launches.
• Responsible for managing all Visual activity in line with both global and local trade tactical calendars.
• Conduct regular field-based visits to key locations in conjunction with Franchise VM Managers / Franchise Ops Manager.
• Maintain Franchise VM Communication Calendar that will allow Franchise partners to plan and execute monthly directives in line with product drops.
• Adjust monthly floorsets to Franchise buy so that they are commercially sound for all divisions by region and channel to drive sales.
• Work alongside Franchise partners as the key point of contact when developing seasonal/holiday window schemes specific to certain cultures/countries, e.g. Ramadan, Diwali.

Training & Development:

• Accountable for ensuring all regions maintain the highest standards of visual execution at all times.
• Ensure International Teams understand the key seasonal product management principles and are able to translate this into the final point of sale execution.
• Formulate and deliver T&D workshops focused on upskilling Franchise VM Managers, Franchise Merchandising Team and Brand Sales Teams.
• Develop T&D tools that can be used to support local teams from a distance management perspective.

Strategic Planning:

• Conduct strategic visits to Flagship locations in line with key calendar timings.
• Project manage the visual execution of all Franchise Sales and Press Events alongside international marketing.
• Partner with Franchise Sales and Merchandising Teams to provide support during Market Set Ups and range edits for each Franchise partner.
• Manage Franchise VM Managers and production timelines to ensure seasonal window launches are executed at the brand standard level.
• Work with Franchise VM Managers to help manage and build VM Budgets with Franchise Partners to consider yearly projects.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of proven experience required operating in both an international and franchise management role.
• Experience working for trend-led, premium fashion-focused businesses.
• Be fully aware of industry trends and market-specific customer profiles.
• Hands-on VM experience across women’s, men’s and non-clothing / footwear departments.
• Ability to travel (approx. 60% of time in office, 40% travel).
• Confident in producing reports and presentations to be delivered at a Director level.
• Experienced in multiple VM projects such as window installations, in-store imagery, seasonal store launches, press shows, trade shows, and new & refurbished store launches.
• Personal focus on delivering KPI’s and utilising VM methods to create tangible gains.
• Experience in adapting and creating specific layouts to fit various store environments.
• Be a passionate and highly creative individual, and be able to consistently deliver visual excellence in our stores.
• Preferably degree-level educated in a retail management discipline.
• Have sound IT (Microsoft) knowledge.