Retail Design & Visual Merchandising Manager at L'Oréal

The Opportunity

• L'Oréal South Africa is seeking a dynamic, creative, and results-driven Retail Design and Visual Merchandising Manager to elevate our brand presence and consumer experience across all points of sale. This role is pivotal in translating our brand vision and marketing strategies into captivating in-store realities, ensuring our products are showcased beautifully and effectively to drive sales and enhance brand equity within the diverse South African market.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and execute comprehensive Retail Design & Visual Merchandising strategies that align with global brand guidelines and local market specificities for all L'Oréal Luxe brands which include Lancôme, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, Kiehl's and Maison Margiela.
• Plan and manage the Retail Design and Visual Merchandising calendar, coordinating with marketing Sales, supply chain teams, along with our retail partners and suppliers to ensure timely execution of campaigns and new product launches.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify trends and best practices in visual merchandising, continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance consumer engagement.

Design & Execution:

• Conceptualize, design, and implement captivating retail displays, window presentations, in-store fixtures, and promotional areas that reflect each brand's unique identity and appeal to the target consumer.
• Oversee the production and installation of all visual merchandising materials, ensuring high quality, consistency, and adherence to brand standards.
• Work closely with external vendors, contractors, and agencies for the development and execution of visual merchandising elements.
• Provide clear visual merchandising guidelines and directives to retail partners and sales teams, ensuring consistent implementation across all stores.

Team Leadership & Training:

• Lead the Retail Design and Visual Merchandising tem fostering a culture of creativity, excellence, and collaboration.
• Conduct regular training sessions for retail staff and sales teams on visual merchandising principles, product placement, and display maintenance.

Budget Management & Performance Analysis:

• Manage the visual merchandising budget effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and cost-efficiency.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of visual merchandising initiatives through sales data, foot traffic analysis, and qualitative feedback, providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.
• Prepare regular reports on visual merchandising performance, market trends, and competitive activities.

Collaboration & Communication: 

• Serve as the primary liaison between global/regional visual merchandising teams and the local South African market, ensuring effective communication and adaptation of global assets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, trade marketing, product development, and supply chain teams to ensure integrated and impactful campaigns.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Retail Management, Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in visual merchandising, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial role, preferably within the beauty, fashion, or luxury retail sectors.
• Proven experience working with a diverse portfolio of brands and adapting strategies to different retail environments (e.g., department stores, mass market, specialty boutiques).
• Strong portfolio showcasing successful visual merchandising projects and creative design capabilities.

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Exceptional creativity and a strong eye for aesthetics, detail, and brand presentation.
• In-depth knowledge of retail environments, consumer behavior, and visual merchandising best practices.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and presentation tools.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Results-oriented with a strategic mindset and a keen understanding of how visual merchandising impacts sales and brand perception.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other South African official languages is a plus.
• Willingness to travel frequently within South Africa and neighboring countries to visit stores and supervise installations.

Deadline:21st August,2025