Retail Visual Merchandising Operations Manager

Who We Are: 

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The Retail Visual Merchandising Operations Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence, communication flow, and project management across all Retail Visual Merchandising channels. This role acts as the central connection point between Retail VM channel leads, cross-functional partners, VM Creative Services, and external production vendors.

This manager ensures that priorities, briefs, timelines, and budgets are aligned to channel needs - enabling faster decision‑making, clearer accountability, and more consistent execution across the retail fleet. The role also oversees new store opening and remodel graphics and manages all retail VM–to–store communications via NB Connect.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

 Cross-Channel Retail Visual Merchandising Coordination

• Connect the dots across Retail VM channel leads to align on priorities, timelines, deliverables, distribution needs, and capacity.

• Consolidate and synthesize information to create clear, actionable briefs for VM Creative Services.

• Own the Retail VM operating cadence - ensuring clarity, accountability, and streamlined workflows.

• Manage prioritization, trade‑offs, and reallocations as business needs shift.

• Support accuracy of VM distribution lists after handoff from VM channel leads, including validating vendor output and communicating any changes back to channel leads and stores.

Project Management & VM Creative Briefing

• Serve as the primary project manager for all Retail VM programs, seasonal rollouts, campaigns, and special projects.

• Build and maintain detailed project timelines, cross‑functional calendars, milestone trackers, and workbacks.

• Coordinate kickoff meetings and guide end‑to‑end project tracking from brief intake through execution.

• Translate creative direction and channel objectives into complete, actionable briefs for VM Creative Services.

• Maintain organized project documentation, archives, trackers, and dashboards for visibility and reporting.

• Contribute to contract drafting in partnership with VM Creative Services leadership.

• Support continuous improvement by identifying efficiencies, documenting learnings, and optimizing processes.

Vendor Management & Production Planning

• Act as the primary point of contact for all VM production vendors (graphics, fixtures, props, and specialty builds).

• Manage production schedules, proofing, approvals, and logistics—ensuring on-time, in-scope delivery.

• Review and confirm VM channel–generated distribution lists prior to vendor production; communicate changes as needed.

• Monitor vendor performance, escalating risks proactively and identifying opportunities for efficiency or cost optimization.

• Maintain accurate visual merchandising vendor master documents and order tracking tools.

Retail Store Communication & Support (NB Connect)

• Support all Retail VM communication through NB Connect—including toolkits, floor-set guides, installation instructions, updates, and visual alerts.

• Monitor, triage, and resolve incoming store requests in partnership with VM channel leads.

• Track and manage fixture and graphic needs across the fleet; support replenishment and operational troubleshooting.

• Maintain the visual database, IWD fixtures, floor plans, and seasonal assortments to ensure store teams have accurate, up-to-date information.

New Store Opening & Remodel Visual Execution

• Manage all graphic production, ordering, installation planning, and vendor coordination for new stores and remodels.

• Maintain accurate fixture plans, graphic guidelines, and spatial standards in partnership with Retail Development.

• Ensure high-quality execution and timely delivery, enabling stores to open with a premium, brand-right visual experience.

Budgeting, Purchasing & Resource Management

• Support Retail VM budget management—including tracking, forecasting, invoice flow, and PO creation/approval.

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