Visual Merchandising Assistant - W&FJ

Visual Merchandising Assistant

Location: CHANEL Head office, London / Boutique

Reports to: W&FJ Retail & Event VM Manager

Contract: 12-month Contract (Internship)

Your role @CHANEL:

As a VM Assistant you will support the team to maintain the highest level of visual standards in accordance with the CHANEL global image guidelines, also be responsible for executing local market VM orchestration, supporting event production and adaptation. Within these frameworks, your role & responsibilities will consist of window display planning & execution, event set-up, regular in-boutique display refresh & adaptation, and always ensuring the use of sustainable materials, recycling or repurposing to comply with CHANEL net-zero commitment.

The VM Assistant for CHANEL must have a strong awareness and adaptability to the luxury retail environment. You will be expected to report directly to the W&FJ Retail & Event VM Manager whilst collaborate closely with global, retail and marketing team to ensure the deliverables align with the brand image & business objectives.

What impact you can create at Chanel:

This position will allow you to travel & work in the different boutique locations within the UK. Your working environment will be mainly in the retail space & head office.

• Ensure the boutique VM standards are well maintained according to global guidelines & boutique needs for Watch & Fine Jewellery, Fashion & Wholesale networks
• Ensure regular display refresh in boutiques by having constant dialog with retail team & global team
• Optimize & manage POS tools, including inventory management, maintenance and training
• Animate VM community & organize regular VM training with retail team & wholesale partners
• Collaborating with cross functional teams, creating visually engaging VM displays that align with the global guideline & business needs.
• Feedback regularly to global team our local market needs by reports
• Establish regular visits to wholesale partners to support wholesales network with in-store merchandising whilst to coach, train and develop the display standards
• Support event production, logistic arrangement, on-site set-up
• Coding of VM expenses in finance system
• Coordinate monthly marketing meeting & build agenda & minute follow-up
• Placement of all orders for POS tools for window decors, generic permanent VM tools and event production for all networks.

What you will bring to the role:

• Aesthetic sense to drive ultimate luxury image
• Flair & agility to reinforce the visibility of our campaigns & product collections as well as participate to the unique client experience at CHANEL.
• Strong knowledges in ultimate luxury industry
• Excellent communication & relationship skills.
• Strong sense of detail.
• Strong organizational skills to ensure that all projects are executed flawlessly, with an eye for quality and adherence to brand standards.
• Proven experience in design and VM for luxury retail environments.
• Proactiveness, resourceful, problem-solving oriented, with good interpersonal communication, with negotiation skills
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Architecture, Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or any related field.
• Proficiency in English
• Good to have proficiency in Sketchup and Adobe Suite, Autocad and rendering programs (Vray, Lumion, or similar)

You are energised by:

• A passion for creativity and innovative thinking
• Creating and maintaining unique VM displays in accordance with global guidelines & business needs
• Working in fast-paced environment whilst remaining positive, proactive & agile
• Connecting with the different divisions, including Fashion, Fragrance & Beauty in different events & projects
• Displaying excellent communication skills along with ability to work with the teams independently
• Continuously evaluating and refreshing VM in boutiques to maintain customer interest and boost footfall
• Contributing in the on-going and companywide version of sustainability. Sustainability is one of CHANEL’s key performance drivers, embedded into our ways of working we require continued collective action from all employees to deliver on CHANEL’s House Sustainability Ambitions across our four key areas:
  • Restoring Nature and Climate
  • Investing in Circularity
  • Advancing dignity and prosperity
  • Promoting the autonomy of women

What you will gain from this experience:

• Experience in imp