Visual & Shopfit Specialist at The Prestige Cosmetics Group

JOB OVERVIEW

• To uphold and express the Chanel brand identity across all South African retail environments through exceptional visual merchandising and shopfit execution.
• The Visual & Shopfit Specialist ensures that every boutique, counter, and travel retail space reflects the spirit of Chanel — refined, consistent, and inspiring — while delivering operational excellence and collaboration across local and global teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

New Counter & SAB Launches (South Africa & Travel Retail)

• Develop detailed project briefs for all new counters and SABs.
• Coordinate project timelines, installations, and refits between UK and local design teams, project management partner and shopfitters.
• Coordinate layouts and bespoke designs with the UK VM and Display teams.
• Manage timely availability and installation of merchandising elements.
• Manage snag corrections with shopfitters to maintain standards of excellence.

On-Site Merchandising & Execution

• Ensure each retail space fully represents the CHANEL aesthetic and brand codes upholding global merchandising guidelines across all South African counters.
• Deliver consistency in POS hotspots, tester stands, TGPs, SED, TGS, and product layout across all SAB’s and retail doors.
• Ensure all elements required for visual changes are implemented on time.
• Fragrance – Execute fragrance bay layouts to ensure the Chanel identity and merchandising is consistent across all markets.
• Makeup – Execute MED layouts for MED wall and table units.
• Skincare – Execute skincare bay layouts show casing new products using IWD Displaya
• Coordinate with the Global team for the POS screen planning such that the programming aligns to the campaign launch dates using Chanel-Channel.

Bespoke Merchandising Projects

• Partner with the UK VM Design team to develop and execute bespoke merchandising elements.
• Implement POS and visual assets in line with campaign deadlines and marketing priorities.
• Ensure all design solutions reflect CHANEL’s visual language and craftsmanship.

Campaign & On Counter store change over management

• Translate the global marketing calendar into local merchandising actions.
• Manage lightboxes, tester stands, hot spots and counter elements to showcase updates in collaboration with marketing and display teams.
• Coordinate digital screen content via CHANEL-Channel to align with campaign timelines.

Forecasting & Production Planning

• Partner with the marketing manager and UK design team to forecast yearly merchandising needs.
• Track and manage stock levels of visual elements, triggering reorders when required.
• Oversee the production and briefing of locally sourced elements to meet brand standards and timelines.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate merchandising plans, updates, and layouts to VM, marketing, and retail field teams.
• Maintain open communication with regional managers to address and resolve in-store issues.
• Support regional teams with visual merchandising guidance and best practices.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular updates to the General Manager and UK VM team on all active projects and maintenance schedule.
• Maintain professional liaison with UK teams, suppliers, and shopfitters.
• Submit the following on schedule:
• Monthly detailed visual feedback and maintenance report.
• Monthly action plan/journey planner by the 20th of each month.
• Maintenance summary for bi-weekly Brand Core meetings.
• Quarterly visual changeovers and planograms for Cycle Meetings.
• Accurate store visit logs and supporting documentation.
• Maintain VM Asset log.
• Maintain safe keeping of VM assets ensuring best practice and cost-effective storage.

Store Maintenance

• Maintain and track all maintenance issues, ensuring resolution within 30 days.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality workmanship and competitive pricing.
• Provide monthly updates to RDMs and counter teams.

Eventing & Activations

• Lead design, setup, and breakdown of all CHANEL events and activations.
• Oversee execution in standalone boutiques, wholesale counters, external activations, and conferences.
• Ensure best practice, cost control, and brand alignment in all visual eventing activities.

Budget Management & Administration

• Full accountability for Visual Merchandising and Shopfit-related GL codes under A&P.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations and report to the Marketing Manager by the 15th.
• Manage PO requisitions, supplier payments, and CAPEX budgets for new counters and SABs.

Visual Merchandising Asset Management

• Maintain and update the VM asset log, ensuring accurate tracking.
• Oversee the safe keeping and cost-efficient storage of all VM assets.

Trade & Field Presence

• Maintain close awareness of counter presentations across all regions.
• Conduct in-person visits to Johannesburg and Pretoria weekly.
• Receive photographic feedback from Cape Town and KZN bi-weekly.
• Visit Cape Town every 8 weeks and KZN every 12 weeks.

PROFILE & COMPETENCIES

• At least 4 years of experience in a similar role
• Deep understanding of luxury retail and brand aesthetics
• Exceptional project management and organisational skills
• Collaborative, solution-driven, and detail-oriented
• Effective communication and cross-functional coordination skills
• Ability to balance creativity with disciplined execution
• Ability to understand technical plans
• Commercial awareness and budget management
• Attention to detail
• Own transport and driver’s licence
• Passport and ability to travel abroad
• Computer literacy, proficient in below computer programs:
• Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams
• Adobe Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Sketchup
• AutoCAD