Visual Merchandising Manager

Job Title: US VM Manager

Reporting to: Head of Visual

Location: New York, USA

Contract Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

About Us:

ME EM is one of the UK’s fastest-growing luxury fashion brands. In addition to a thriving global digital presence, we operate flagship stores in London and Edinburgh, concessions within Harrods and Selfridges, and have recently expanded with new store openings in the U.S.

At ME EM we are an entrepreneurial, creative, and passionate group of people. We work hard, are enthusiastic to learn and are not afraid to take risks. Everyone contributes to our success at all levels, and that precisely what makes being a member of the team so rewarding.

Our office and stores are always busy and fast paced, but we work just as hard to make sure it’s fun, with social activities and biannual parties. We pride ourselves on being approachable, supportive, and welcoming and ensure that everyone’s hard work is rewarded. It takes all these things to build a strong, successful business and our door is always open to new talent ready to contribute to our growth and evolution.

About the Role:

The UK VM Manager will lead the VM implementation across multi-site locations within the UK and ROW . They will oversee the VM guidelines, ensuring the ME EM brand styling pillars are communicated through outfit building and head to toe looks that are also reflective of the location, client and brand. In addition they will be responsible for the coordination of VM projects, including seasonal activations, pop ups and events. The US VM Manager will lead the VM implementation across multi site locations across the US. They will oversee the US VM guidelines, ensuring the ME EM brand styling pillars are communicated through outfit building and head to toe looks that are also reflective of the climate and client. In addition they will be responsible for the coordination of VM projects, including seasonal activations, pop ups and events.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the creation of US specific VM guidelines for each product drop across all US locations, working alongside the Head of Visual to ensure these reflect both the brand and relevant markets.
• Attend monthly/bi-monthly product ranging meetings with the Head of Visual, Senior Retail Team and Merchandising Team, ensuring each store is ranged the correct product selection for their specific location, taking into consideration the climate, client demographic, brand and commerciality.
• Responsible for implementing monthly VM floor refreshes across multi site locations within the US.
• Responsible for maintaining the VM in local sites on a weekly basis, inputting new lines and replacing sold through styles, as well as reworking colour stories as needed throughout the month.
• Ability to adapt VM guidelines to reflect each store’s linear and shop floor capacity.
• Responsible for leading the creative styling of head to toe looks for both mannequins and front facers that reflect the brand styling pillars. Ensuring these are updated frequently and always represent the most new and inspiring looks.
• Collaboration with the Head of Visual in the ideation and creative of store windows across the US, ensuring these are always showcasing the latest collection and are both enticing and inspirational to our customers.
• Work closely with the Head of Visual to continuously elevate the in-store client experience, bringing the brand vision to life and ensuring creative, aspirational product and window displays are aligned across the US store portfolio.
• Working with each individual location's stock on hand, to adapt guidelines effectively and ensure product stories are both cohesive and commercial.
• Ability to travel to multiple locations across the US as needed for VM updates as well as new store openings and refurbishments.
• Responsible for the coordination of VM related projects including seasonal activations, events and US based brand pop ups.
• US VM point of contact for social, press and events, ensuring VM is inspiring and on brief, with the support of Head Office VM team where required.
• Communicate effectively with the Head of Visual on all areas surrounding VM, product feedback, stock levels and customer demand.
• Communicate VM updates effectively with Store Managers and wider Store teams to ensure key stakeholders are aligned and informed.
• Share weekly VM photos and feedback with the Head of Visual and Retail Teams, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement.
• Liaise with both the Merchandising team and Head of Visual on stock movement, including proposed product recalls, seasonal/evergreen product required for selected stores and product deliveries.
• Engage and develop in-house talent, providing training and inspirational insight into the ME EM brand and visual aesthetic
• Support the Head of Visual with implementing proven processes and ways of working to reduce friction points and cultivate a collaborative and positive cross functional team culture.
• Update Head of Visual with VM requirements per store, including VM toolkit and styling supplies. Responsible for maintaining VM tools and communicating any VM maintenance requirements.
• Responsible for inventory and management of store experience items including flowers, candles and room sprays. Consolidating order requests when needed.
• Support the Head of Visual and Store Design team with new store openings and refurbishments within the US.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience in a managerial VM role within women's contemporary/luxury fashion, preferably in a multi-site environment.
• Experience in elevated and creative VM styling is imperative.
• Experience with window styling and creative treatments preferred.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills are required, as well as the ability to work cross functionally with both internal teams and external partners.
• The ability to work in a fast paced environment is essential.
• Adaptability and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines effectively.
• Must be able to travel to store locations within the US where and when required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace with Adobe Suite / CAD software preferred but not essential.

ME EM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion in our workforce. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we do not discriminate against applicants based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that diversity enriches our workforce and strengthens our organisation. Therefore, we encourage minorities, LGBTQ candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply for opportunities within our company.

Please note, due to the large number of applications we receive, we can only reply to those that are successful to the next stage.