The Visual Merchandising Manager will report to the Retail Marketing Director and will closely partner with various internal teams from Retail Store Operations, Field Merchandising and Marketing to drive results through effective store directives, visual merchandising, fixture design and procurement. S/he will have exceptional problem-solving skills, excellent time management, and impeccable follow-up/follow-through skills, and provide flawless visual merchandising support. The Visual Merchandising Manager has 1 direct report, Visual Merchandising Specialist, and oversees their progress, deliverables and provides feedback as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with Retail Buyers, Allocators, Ops & Marketing to deliver against yearly Visual Calendar, bringing to life key seasonal stories, seasonal promotions, product launches, floorsets, window sets (if applicable), table updates and activations at Retail to ensure all product alignment needs are met resulting in a singular brand vision and consumer journey.
• Build positive and effective relationships with Marketing partners to understand seasonal creative brief needs, aligning retail strategies to overarching brand marketing initiatives to deliver accurate and timely Visual directives.
• Partner with Retail Marketing Director to develop story-telling systems to maximize sales.
• Partner with Retail Marketing Director to develop platforms to tell 5.11 product innovation and technical benefit stories. This includes but is not limited to POS display order development and custom POP procurement needs for Retail, Tradeshow and Pop-Ups.
• Act as a liaison between the home office and the field to bring new products to the forefront at Retail for visual impact and a sense of newness.
• Attend and/or facilitate retail store or wholesale shop openings, as needed.
• Review architectural plans for new store openings to determine fixture quantities, ensure floorplans are accurate to support business needs and problem solve as needed in the floorplan approval process. Secure all new store opening deliverables for timely arrival to meet grand opening dates.
• Partner with the Retail Marketing Director & Store Development to develop and refine fixture needs to better utilize space constraints and opportunities to showcase the breadth 5.11 product line.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure POS Fixtures meet production standards. Make adjustments to the assembly and/or process to improve quality, function and capacity.
• In partnership with the Retail Marketing Director, approves finished fixtures by confirming specifications and conducting visual reviews and inspections.
• Build positive, effective relationships throughout the field and HQ team to align support for visual merchandising and brand initiatives to deliver seamless execution and tracking from start to finish.
• Build store directive templates and provide store teams with updated signage/VM elements tracking to ensure accurate and timely shipment arrivals aligned to go-live dates.
• Available for domestic and international travel.
• In partnership with Retail Marketing Director, concepts, develops and executes seasonal floorset strategies and creates store directives to ensure consistency across the 5.11 fleet.
• Schedules & facilitates conference calls with stores to ensure field teams understand key floorset merchandising strategies & marketing needs in partnership with the Snr. Marketing Manager.
• Coordinates with floorset store manager & district manager on pre-planning aspects needed for floorset execution including alignment and delivery of necessary products/signage to set and photograph store to facilitate floorset directive needs.
• Drive the process and chapter creation for ongoing development of the 5.11 Visual Standards Manual to ensure visual compliance across store environments.
• Ensure project estimates are secured from vendor and shared with Retail Marketing Director for approval. Partner with finance to keep vendor accounts current and ensure vendor invoices are submitted in timely manner.
• Provides VM solutions to support business needs and trouble-shoots concept flows through creative problem solving and creative innovation.
• Leverages all available technology and best practices to ensure consistent visual execution.
• Review Floorset photo submissions on seasonal basis & facilitate VM training opportunities to develop field VM skills. Communicates as needed with Store Managers & District Managers to deliver VM feedback.
• Works on special projects as needed to support business initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in retail space planning or visual merchandising.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of retail space planning and visual merchandising preferred.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, InDesign, SketchUp.
• Ability to absorb technical information & translate into actionable results, use good judgment and logic.
• Understand the importance of the consumer journey and visual merchandising in retail environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Able to effectively collaborate with both corporate and retail field associates.

OUR VALUES:

At 5.11 we embrace a high energy culture built upon our values of Service, Unity, Impact and Tenacity.

Service – At 5.11, we wear our passion for service on our sleeves: it is an honor to serve those who serve and people of all walks of life. With humility and great respect for our consumers and our roots, we take pride in our brand and engage with our communities. By championing the needs of our consumer we fulfill the mission of a lifetime.

Unity – We build together—as one, global 5.11 family. Our individual abilities and diverse perspectives strengthen outcomes. We collaborate, taking a holistic view and listening actively. By communicating with intention, care and clarity, we empower each other to reach new heights.

Impact – We have big ambitions and they start and end with our consumer. With them in mind, we innovate for impact—we think big, think creatively and challenge norms. We foster curiosity and iterate, relentlessly pursuing solutions. For ultimate impact, we drive to disrupt for good.

Tenacity – We are tenacious in our pursuits and accountable to each other. This builds trust and the confidence to rise to any challenge. We have the courage to take risks and, no matter the outcome, we flex and adapt, always having each other’s backs. We persist—determined to Always Be Ready.

Pay Range: $45 - $50 per hour 

5.11 Tactical offers a best-in-class benefits program including: medical, dental and vision insurance; a 401(k) program with employer match; employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance. Additionally, employees can choose from several voluntary benefits including: Hospital Indemnity/Accident insurance; Flexible Spending Account/Health Saving Account; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Time Off/Paid Holidays/Sick Time; Casual Dress Code; and Employee Discounts.

*If you are a regular full-time employee working at least 30 hours per week, you and your eligible dependents may participate in 5.11’s benefits program.*

California Privacy Note: As of January 1, 2023, California residents have the right to know what personal information that 5.11 has collected about them, right to correct inaccurate information, or request that their personal information be deleted, subject to certain limitations. If you’re a California resident you may view the policy HERE and if you would like to make a request regarding your personal data, please CLICK HERE.