Job Description

An exciting and dynamic opportunity has opened for a Visual Merchandising Specialist at our Support Centre in Kuilsriver. The successful individual will be tasked with executing Ackermans Visual Merchandise Business Plans and enhancing the customer experience in our stores by overseeing the Seasonal Look and Promotional Manual processes.KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of VM best practices and principles, techniques and VM trends as well an excellent grasp of customer behaviour.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent comprehension of the marketing strategies, branding, customer behaviour and principles relevant to value retailing, as well as a practical grasp of the South African industry.
• Working knowledge of electronic and print communications

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Excellent organizational, planning, project management and time management expertise.
• Attention to detail
• Self-reliant and results orientated
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• A strong creative flair
• Excellent budgeting skills
• Effective problem-solving abilities with the ability to think out of the box
• Practical thinking style
• The ability to:

• Translate VM specifications into the specific store environments and displays
• Evaluate research, market conditions, competitor data and implement marketing plan alternations as needed.
• Work well under pressure and with tight deadlines
• Computer Literacy (Word, Excel, Advanced, PowerPoint)
• Basic Design Platform literacy (Illustrator, SketchUp, Photoshop)
• Overseeing the DTP process

EXPERIENCE:Essential:

• A minimum of 2 years Visual Merchandising experience in a role with exposure to the budgeting process

Preferred:

• Exposure within a Marketing environment would be advantageous

QUALIFICATIONS:Essential:

• Grade 12/ Matric
• A tertiary qualification in Visual Communication Design or equivalent

Preferred:

• A qualification in PR/Visual Communication would be advantageous

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Strategy interpretation and implementation:

• Responsible for executing Ackermans VM strategy
• Lead effective merchandising of stock to encourage maximum sales.
• Promote healthy business relationships between Operations, Marketing & SBU's through constant alignment
• Provide user-friendly and simplistic store implementation guidelines

2. Manage the seasonal look manual process through:

• Research
• Offering practical and relevant advice/solutions to the internal stakeholders

• Liaising with relevant internal and external stakeholders to produce and communicate the Seasonal Look Manual.

3. Manage the monthly promotional process through:

• Research
• Offering practical and relevant advice/solutions to the internal stakeholders
• Agile response to market trends and business needs
• Liaising with relevant internal and external stakeholder to produce and communicate the Monthly promotional manual.

4. Promotional and seasonal POS specification maintenance (amendments/ evolving specifications)5. Overseeing the DTP process.

Ackermans