Field Visual Merchandiser Specialist Wholesale - EM South at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

• To ensure industry-leading visual merchandising planning and execution, which meets adidas VM standards, within key wholesale (WHS) partners across South Africa.
• Drive brand leadership in retail at every Wholesale (WHS) consumer touch point across window, launch zone, apparel category areas and FTW walls to maximize full-price sell-through and NPS.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead in the execution of the highest VM standards, in collaboration with the adidas & WHS VM teams in retail.  
• Create VM planning directives which will clearly guide the adidas & WHS accounts VM teams to execute to the highest quality in retail.
• Ensure adidas product is being merchandised to the latest fashion trends and looks in retail. 
• Create and manage quality training material and training sessions for the adidas and WHS VM teams. 
• Create campaign reports and analysis of campaign executions, to be shared with key stakeholders regularly.

Key Relationships

• EM Hub: Space and VM Planning 
• Omni-Channel Marketing Team
• EM South: VM Excellence Lead
• Manager WHS Activation
• Manager Key Accounts
• Brand Coach VM Field Team
• WHS Store Managers & VM Teams
• WHS Marketing & Merch Teams
• WHS Operations Teams 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent visual merchandising planning and execution skills.
• Excellent leadership and cross functional management skills.
• Strong aesthetic and creative sense with a keen eye for design and styling.
• Ability to balance aesthetics with business acumen.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to guide and train.
• Excellent skills in motivating, coaching and engaging teams.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and organize.
• Works well under pressure.
• Proactive with a positive attitude.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in visual design, merchandising or the equivalent.
• Minimum of 4 years progressive work experience in Visual Merchandising Planning & Execution.
• Passion for sports and the fashion culture born from it.