Senior Specialist, Visual Merchandising

Senior Specialist, Visual Merchandising - Wayfair Branded Stores

Location: 3232 Lake Ave Suite 1, Wilmette, IL 60091

Overview:

As a Senior Specialist of Visual Merchandising, you’ll play a critical role in bringing the Wayfair brand to life in our physical retail stores. Reporting to the Department Manager, you’ll drive the in-store shopping experience by developing and executing compelling visual merchandising strategies to inspire our customers and elevate store engagement.

Blending creativity with data-driven insights, you’ll craft impactful displays, optimize product presentation, and lead key initiatives that enhance store performance. You'll also serve as a mentor to Visual Specialists and Sales Associates, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in visual storytelling. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment and has a keen eye for design, a strong grasp of retail trends, and a passion for creating immersive shopping experiences.

What Does a Senior Visual Merchandising Specialist Do?

• Develop & Execute Visual Merchandising Strategy: Implement and refine seasonal merchandising strategies that align with brand standards, marketing campaigns, and sales goals. Use data and industry trends to enhance in-store experiences.
• Project Leadership: Take ownership of key visual merchandising projects, including new store setups, seasonal refreshes, and promotional displays. Develop project plans, manage timelines, and coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure seamless execution.
• Optimize Product Placement & Store Layouts: Analyze sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory flow to make data-driven recommendations that enhance product visibility and drive engagement.
• Uphold Brand Consistency & Operational Excellence: Conduct regular store walk-throughs to assess merchandising execution, troubleshoot challenges, and implement solutions that uphold brand standards in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Demonstrate Reliability & Professionalism: Maintain strong attendance and communication to support business needs. Proactively address scheduling or operational challenges to ensure consistent store coverage.
• Provide Training & Collaborate Across Teams: Mentor Visual Specialists and Sales Associates, providing hands-on training and best practices in visual merchandising. Collaborate with marketing, sales, and operations teams to align merchandising with business goals.
• Analyze Performance & Innovate: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and use customer feedback to refine strategies. Stay ahead of emerging trends in visual merchandising and introduce innovative ideas to enhance brand presence.
• Adapt to Rapid Change & Problem-Solving: Quickly adjust to shifting priorities and evolving business needs. Take a solution-oriented approach to merchandising challenges and maintain high execution standards.
• Drive Customer Experience & Engagement: Create an inspiring shopping environment through thoughtful visual storytelling. Engage with customers to understand their needs and ensure merchandising decisions contribute to a seamless retail experience.

What are the Job Requirements?

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Visual Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field preferred or equivalent work experience/tenure.
• Visual Experience: 3+ years of progressive experience in visual merchandising, preferably in a retail environment. Experience in home furnishings or interior design is a plus. Demonstrated experience leading projects or initiatives.
• Availability: Must have open availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Visual Merchandising Expertise: Strong knowledge of composition, color theory, lighting, space planning, and display execution.
• Creative & Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop innovative merchandising solutions based on business needs.
• Project Management: Skilled in planning, organizing, and executing merchandising projects on time and within scope.
• Communication & Leadership: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to train, mentor, and collaborate across teams.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Ability to analyze sales trends and customer insights to optimize merchandising strategies.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with visual merchandi