Senior Specialist Visual Merchandising Execution - EM South at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

• The Senior Specialist – Visual Merchandising DTC (Direct to Consumer) is responsible for leading and elevating VM execution across South Africa, ensuring best-in-class brand presentation aligned with adidas global standards.
• This role leads a team of District Visual Merchandisers, driving capability, consistency, and commercial impact while overseeing new store openings and VM asset management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of District Visual Merchandisers. 
• Ensure consistent execution of global and local VM standards across all stores. 
• Drive impactful brand storytelling aligned to seasonal campaigns and product priorities. 
• Plan and execute all VM elements for new store openings. 
• Manage VM assets and inventory effectively across the market. 
• Conduct store visits and audits to maintain and improve execution quality. 
• Partner with Retail, Marketing, and Store Development teams to align execution. 
• Support commercial success through optimized product presentation. 
• Drive training programs to elevate VM capability across the region. 
• Continuously innovate and improve VM processes and standards.

Key Relationships:

• Emerging Markets: VM Excellence Team
• Retail: Merchandise and Operations Team 
• Customers
• Marketing Team including:
• Brand & Retail Director
• Trade marketing managers and VM planning team
• Retail Marketing
• Retail Back Office (RBO) team (within both Lead and Multifunctional Markets)
• Operations/District Managers
• District Visual Merchandisers
• In-Store Visual Merchandisers (VM Champs)

Key Competencies:

• Leadership and people development in Visual Merchandising 
• Strategic thinking with strong execution capability in Visual Merchandising
• Stakeholder management and collaboration 
• Commercial acumen 
• Planning and organizational skills 
• Attention to detail and brand consistency
• Fluency in English 
• Good IT Skills (Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point) 

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Tertiary education or equivalent professional experience
• 7 year’s experience dedicated in Visual Merchandising, ideally within a leading capacity.
• 3 – 5 year’s experience in a people management role, with proven ability to lead and develop teams
• Experience of working across multiple store concepts and multiple regions