Visual Manager, Banana Republic International Strategic Alliances Job Listing at Gap Inc. in United States of America

Retail

Title: Visual Manager, Banana Republic International Strategic Alliances
Location: UNITED STATES
Other Locations:

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Visual Manager, Banana Republic International Strategic Alliances, leverages Global Store Experience and Franchise Product strategies to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of all visual merchandising execution across the Franchise fleet of stores in a manner that will achieve the goals of the Banana Republic brand and ensures a seamless brand message through the store experience each season. The position will lead the adapting and communication of all seasonal Visual Merchandising strategies and support the development/implementation of all seasonal Market Week campaigns.

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS:

Internally, the Visual Manager, BR ISA reports directly to the Franchise Marketing Lead with a strong link to the Director, BR Global Store Experience. Other critical business partners include the ISA Central Merchandising Team and ISA Regional Operations teams. In addition, relationships with BR brand counterparts from North America, Europe and Japan are developed and fostered. Externally, the Visual Manager, BR ISA primarily and directly interacts with the Franchise VM partners and other franchise functional groups.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

FRANCHISE ADOPTION / MARKET WEEK

*
Serve as primary filter to sense check merchandise placement strategies and styling points of view during Global Line Adoption are relevant for Franchise Markets.
*
Represent Store Experience strategies and initiatives at seasonal Franchise Line Adoption assortment process.
*
Translate Global Store Experience strategies and ISA Central Merchandising Team strategies into showroom environment for Franchise Buyers to understand design intent of each collection and how they will show up in stores.
*
Participate in buy review during Market Week with each territory to ensure product strategies in each territory will align with Global strategies and are brand-right where adaption/localization is needed. Guide and influence internal and external business partners to ensure alignment. Ensure recommendations on store capacity are followed as well as giving visual direction through the central teams.
*
Communicates where Global Direction can be leverage and where localization will be required.
SEASONAL STRATEGY, COMMUNICATION & EXECUTION

*
Receives Global Store Experience seasonal strategies, evaluates relevant aspects for ISA business, supplements direction for local market considerations and repackages direction for distribution to local in-country teams
*
Communicates seasonal direction to Franchise Partners, guides and approves pre-season mapping and planning for franchisee’s to execute
*
Monitors execution and provides feedback on execution of seasonal rollouts via territory visits and/or picture share
*
Supports communication channels to ensure the franchise business is linking with Global Store Experience
*
Ensures Franchise Partners receive seasonal direction according to local deadlines
*
Works and builds relationships with the Franchise Central Merchandising team to ensure that each set up is in line with planners strategies.
FRANCHISEE MANAGEMENT:

*
Lead seasonal conference calls with franchise visual partners and other functional leads to providing an interactive forum between the franchisee and Banana Republic and to set visual merchandising priorities
*
Proactively trouble shoot merchandising issues according to business needs, local trends and customs
*
Collect feedback on seasonal presentation/concept books, to be incorporated for future seasons
*
Provide clarification, direction and training regarding brand-right presentations and product initiatives through consistent use of communication tools to franchise visual partners
*
Manage the localization of the BR brand standards while maintaining the brand aesthetic and filter
*
Develop knowledge and awareness of market competition; be able to articulate the store experience
*
Manage territory launches, store openings and events in the area of visual merchandising
*
Update and improve visual merchandising guidelines and standards for franchise organizations based on best practices and direct feedback (ie: training tools and resources)
*
Train, teach and transfer brand knowledge and expertise to the franchise stores; conduct merchandising training sessions with franchisee (ie: Onboarding new franchisee, new territory launch process, in season management opportunities)
*
Implement and gather constructive feedback from franchise organization regarding opportunities; provide recommendations for improvement
*
Be able to communicate visual merchandising strategy, local initiatives and results to Global Store Experience leadership
*
Accountable to hire, train and manage freelancers or domestic store manpower to support all seasonal showroom initiatives and visual brand ambassador assignments
*
Responsible for working with Store Design and Global Store Experience on all new store openings including store layout review, cc capacities, recommendations for collections store can house and planning/guiding ordering for fixture and creative element packages.
*
Maintain archive of Franchise fleet store maps and seasonal photos

*
6 to 8 years retail visual merchandising and display experience in a range of store profiles and volume in BR-like brands inclusive of 4 years head quarter experience
*
Previous experience as VM manager or Head of VM role in similar businesses.
*
Knowledge of Gap Inc brands, preferred
*
Ability to train and develop others
*
Ability to communicate visual merchandising presentation guidelines
*
Demonstrated experience in motivating and influencing others
*
Strong fashion and styling sense
*
Strong understanding of how visual merchandising and in-store marketing supports an exceptional customer experience and drives business
Excellent visual and merchandising skills that can support a range of store profiles and volumes
*
Ability to work with various levels of management
*
Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills
*
Excellent time management and organizational skills
*
Self motivated with the ability to handle multiple projects
*
Strong attention to detail, accuracy and follow-through
*
Knowledge of the competition and industry with strong emphasis on international markets
*
Experience working with a wholesale or franchise business model preferred
*
Strong problem analysis and decision making skills.
*
Advanced computer skills - Microsoft Word, Excel, MAC, Power point
*
Digital camera skills
*
Available to work weekends and late nights
*
Ability and strong desire to work cross culturally
*
Ability and willingness to extensively travel to any countries you are designated to travel to by your job duties or by your manager
*