Visual Merchandising & Store Design Specialist (SSA) at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Position Summary

• Enhance brand equity in the in-store environment for both new and existing sites in SSA across multiple brands (Tom Ford, MAC, Killian, Clinique and Estee Lauder).  Ensure consistency of presentation of all counters/FSS environments.
• Responsible for store design functions.
• Ensures proper representation of the brands’ images in the selling environment.
• Project Co-ordinate with Brands, Project Managers and suppliers to ensure the smooth implementation of Retail Design projects.

Key Responsibilities

Store Design

• Initiate project after Brand approval.
• Review and establish and adapt - display, POs and presentation for specific SSA country/ environment.
• Receives designs, technical drawings and specifications to market and chosen shop fitter for every new installation and refurbishment.
• Coordinate the design selling environments, display of products consultation areas and transaction space.
• Ensure Brand’s image is consistent and properly expressed and maintained within guidelines set by NY office in order to achieve a cumulative and synergistic effect in terms of architecture, detailing merchandise layouts.
• Consults with Brand Manager (SA) and Business Development Manager (SSA) to ensure best locations within stores; analyze traffic flow to guarantee customer interaction; analyzes architectural features that may enhance or distract from location; inspects sites to ensure cohesive design and speeds approval process.
• Coordination of in store maintenance with retailers, distributors, contractors and the brands for the repair and upkeep of doors and their financial management when instructed.
• Updates shop fitters on materials for the brands and ensures best quality / cost ratio of the projects.
• Coordinate with Visual Merchandising to order all materials and collaterals to ensure timely delivery to coincide with project schedule.
• Ensure all brand designs and final products are adapted to any existing security constraints.
• Make site surveys and create CAD documents of footprints for design manager as required.
• Maintain project close out and archival procedures, including final project photography.
• The collection of data for the Project Request Form for submission to regional design departments

New store designs and re-vamps of stores

• Coordinate the execution of store openings or re-vamps and ensure the completion of necessary checklists
• Ensure photographs of all new stores and re-vamped stores are taken and filed correctly on the share drive.
• Planning and execution of mall events for new launches & promotions

Existing store design and maintenance

• Maintain all store hardware and open sell elements
• Order new hardware for stores where necessary and coordinate the installation thereof.
• Maintain merchandising and visual standards including updates, new launches.
• Plan, present and Implement the basic merchandising guidelines at store level
• Ensure the merchandising policies in retailers comply with brand standards – implement a cycle program for store visits to inspect these issues.
• Co-ordinate the ordering, distribution of light box visual transparencies for all new and existing stores, launches and promotional focus
• Assist brand/marketing management in planning budgets for display costs
• Procure local suppliers to design and make display units where necessary
• Adapt NY merchandising guidelines to local market standards when required
• Work with field employees in store to determine new space and execution opportunities in-line with international guidelines
• Review and put forward recommendations for new merchandising concepts, ways to highlight new launches
• Work on visual merchandising budgets in conjunction with the Brand manager (SA) or BDM (SSA). To include international tester units, locally produced highlighter stands, in case props and light box visual updates.
• Attend supplier, retailer, promotional and product launch meetings where necessary.
• Work with the International teams to ensure all visual elements, processes, events setups are approved with International

Qualifications

• BA Architecture/ Visual Merchandising/ Interior Design/    Construction
• 5 – 6 Years relevant experience
• Full, unrestricted Driver’s License