London, UK
Lead visual associate
at West Elm
West Elm is seeking a lead visual associate to join its team in London.
Position: 40 hours per week
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and the brands they represent, is the premier specialty retailer of high quality home furnishings in the United States, Canada and Australia. Known for their outstanding customer service, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, west elm and Williams-Sonoma are among the most iconic and well respected retail brands in North America.
We market our products and engage our customers through two major channels – retail stores and the Internet. All our brands allow customers to design, furnish and decorate every room in the home – from the kitchen to the living room, bedrooms, nursery, home office, laundry room and even the hall closet.
Now, our West Elm brand is available in the UK, through Williams-Sonoma UK Limited. At Williams-Sonoma UK Limited, we believe our company has limitless potential, driven by our associates and their imagination, passion and commitment. We provide an exciting and creative work environment, along with a variety of opportunities for professional as well as personal growth.
Summary
Assist leadership and developing and executing the visual inspiration for store merchandising. Execute action plans to ensure the store successfully meets visual merchandising objectives to drive sales and convey the spirit of the brand. Participate in all aspects of visual merchandising and display, collaborates with other team members to ensure flawless execution of seasonal floor sets. Inspire others to keep the store presentation relevant, fresh, and inspirational. Ability to provide sales and service to our clients. Totally flexible to work to stores sales goals and metrics as outlined by the management team.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
- ensure that all visual standards are consistently maintained and elevated within store
- participate in mapping and planning of seasonal floor sets with the visual lead and/or assistant store manager – visual
- develop or modify installation concepts and materials to reflect local market and current seasonality (when applicable)
- communicate installation details to store management to ensure alignment with brand aesthetic
- actively participate in the execution of all visual merchandising inspiration/directive
- partner with visual lead and/or assistant store manager – visual to develop action plans to drive sell through and maximise the store’s inventory/ownership. Swiftly react to sell-through/inventory and increase profitability through visual merchandising
- communicate weekly visual updates to store team to ensure flawless execution
- participate in visual walk-through, identify opportunities and formulate solutions
- develop creative visual merchandising, styling and displays/installations which inspire the customer, convey the spirit of the brand and reflect the local market
- assist in developing, executing and communicating a creative, visual engagement strategy
- actively seek outside inspiration to apply to the overall visual merchandising and display concept
- train and inspire store team on the brand’s vision of visual merchandising standards and display
- assist in developing associates to demonstrate the skills and competencies required to flawlessly execute and maintain visual merchandising. Network, teach and share knowledge with others to elevate store talent
- ability to be able to work and assist in a dynamic sales environment. Assist customers seamlessly always prioritizing customer service above all tasks
- proactively solicit visual feedback and observations
- build positive working relationships with store management team to clarify priorities, share business insight and best practices
- actively participate in weekly store and group meetings, sharing inspiration and best practices
- communicate openly to create an environment where all associates are treated with respect and diversity is valued, in accordance with our people first philosophy
- uphold company values of customer service and satisfaction, as needed assist in selling and service functions
- key holder and commercial involvement in opening and closing the store
- perform other duties as assigned by management
Experience:
- three plus years’ working in merchandising, styling, visual presentation, preferably interiors
Skills/knowledge/competencies:
- ability to interpret and execute merchandising from inspiration
- understanding of design, composition and aesthetics. Ability to maintain brand integrity through visual display techniques. Impeccable eye for detail
- strong artistic background in a variety of media
- ability to manage and prioritise multiple projects
- ability to quickly adapt, develop and execute strategies successfully