Visual Manager - JD Sports at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Job Description

• The Visual Merchandise Specialist III is responsible for leading the interpretation of buying strategies into store layouts, ensuring effective communication of visual presentations, and managing in-store campaign collateral. They also attend shop fitting meetings and ensure visuals and equipment are in place for new and revamped stores. Additionally, they facilitate feedback processes for store openings and revamps.

Responsibilities
Merchandising

Drive creative, commercially aligned visual merchandising across apparel, footwear and accessories.

• Deliver monthly VM training workshops and onboard new staff.
• Develop VM training plans and provide ongoing coaching to store teams and managers.
• Analyse store performance and apply commercial VM actions.
• Produce and upload weekly store image reports and share feedback with stores and global teams.
• Lead new store openings, including shopfits, layout planning, pre‑retailing and coordination with global and local teams.
• Recognise local trends while maintaining global brand standards.

People Leadership & Development

• Inspire, coach and mentor the VM team through weekly meetings, 1:1s and development reviews.
• Conduct needs analyses, build succession plans and identify future VM talent.
• Manage VM staffing structure and lead recruitment for VM roles.
• Provide continuous training, performance feedback and clear objectives.
• Motivate the team by setting a dynamic pace and recognising achievements.

Communication & Culture

• Maintain strong communication between field teams, local departments and global VM.
• Provide clear, constructive feedback and uphold brand values and culture.
• Share weekly updates, actions and priorities with local and global stakeholders.
• Ensure all tasks and documents are completed and uploaded on time (Yoobic, franchise portal).
• Partner closely with the VM Coordination Manager to ensure departmental efficiency.

Qualifications

• Matric and Relevant qualification (Advantageous)
• 5+ years visual manager experience.

Skills

• Creative Visual Merchandising with Strong Commercial Awareness
• Excellent Communication and Presentation Skills
• Leadership, Coaching and Team Development
• Strong Planning and Organisational Skills (layouts, openings, coordination)
• Ability to Analyse Performance and Drive Commercial VM Actions

Behaviours 

• Being Resilient - rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
• Cultivates Innovation - creates an environment that fosters and nurtures a culture of creativity which drives success
• Decision Quality - consistently makes timely, well-rounded and informed decisions
• Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• organisational Savvy - understands and navigates dynamics created by processes, systems, and people
• Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
• Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation