Regional Visual Leader

POSITION SUMMARY:
Partners with and supports the Commercial Field Leadership Team in enhancing the Customer Experience through consistent communication and training of Marketing & Visual Merchandising standards and floorset execution. Proactively challenges process by communicating store and company opportunities to cross functional business partners to further enhance the Customer Experience. 
 
POSITION TITLE: Regional Visual Leader
REPORTS TO: Director - Field Visual
SUPERVISES: n/a
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
Training & Development

• Execute relevant visual merchandising train-the-trainer programs with RDs and DTLs to cascade to their respective store leadership teams
• Elevate visual awareness and acumen in stores in a cost effective and timely manner
• Develop RD/DM merchandising capabilities needed to support effective leadership of the MDP program as it pertains to the visual merchandising DOR
• In partnership with the ZVPs, MD and RDs assess opportunity markets by Zone for target support
• Distort time and resources to focus markets, aligning quarterly visits with the ZVP/MD/RD
• Leverage High Volume / High Visibility Store openings as a training vehicle
• Implement a consistent weekly visual recap process leveraging the WVR tool to align developmental feedback across all levels
• Deliver RD/DTL On-boarding training for all new hires / internal promotes
• Deliver training to support those RDs/DTLs managing SIS/SBS locations

Operational Communication & Execution:

• Support floorset execution through seasonal conference calls
• Travel to key markets with RD’s and DTL’s to ensure accurate, timely and cost effective floorset execution. Provide sign off to Managing Director on Regional floorset execution.  Flexibility to change travel based on region/ company priorities 
• Audit for brand consistency and train for results.  Provide recommendations and execute to immediate and long term improvements and adjustments 
• Elevate field feedback to the home office in order to effect weekly store adjustments based on store design and inventory levels. Capture adjustments in store real time as needed.
• Respond to floorset execution; field questions and communicate issues to Sr. Visual Leader.  Escalate issues to improve overall floorset communication to the company, including floorset implementation process, merchandising moves, signage changes, window updates, etc. as required
• Partner with the Home Office Team to evolve and streamline VM tools and Processes, migrating wherever possible to leverage iPad technology in stores
• Assess systems and processes related to visual merchandising and develop improvements leading to increase efficiencies and quality of execution with a focus on consistency across the mainline market in partnership with Home office.
• Provide floorset hindsight recap for senior leadership, functional heads and product assortment teams in order to influence ongoing tools, systems, processes, etc.
• Compile post season product hindsight based on field feedback to influence assortment improvements for upcoming seasons

Strategy:

• Complete detailed blueprints / maps inclusive of fixture assortment, merchandise presentations and marketing placement for all new store openings and remodels for review with Home Office
• Review and approve all requests for expanded business and marketing change.  Coordinate production, allocation and / or fixture changes with appropriate departments upon approval from home office.
• Develop AEOTV training videos to support flawless execution through the development of our “expert” level associates in partnership with home office
• Participate in seasonal floorset walkthroughs at lab store to influence presentation based on field perspective
• Communicate STAR attribute changes as dictated by changing business needs
• Manage execution of all new store, remodels and store closing strategies in partnership with home office. Partner with store design and visual merchandising team on identifying space opportunities, and fixture repurpose inclusive of quantity, capacity, functionality and mix
• Participate in other assignments, projects, and research as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred - Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years previous retail experience preferred; a minimum of 5 + years visual merchandising experience preferred.
• Strong fashion sense/ taste level.   Global awareness.
• Travel is required, including the pot