At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead visual merchandising and support sales in our European wholesale stores and showrooms.
- Company: Free People is a vibrant clothing brand celebrating fashion, art, music, and travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, employee discounts, wellness programs, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Join a creative team, travel across Europe, and make a real impact on brand presence.
- Qualifications: Experience in visual merchandising or retail management; passion for Free People is essential.
- Other info: Fluency in English required; knowledge of French is a bonus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About Us
Free People is a specialty clothing brand featuring the latest trends and vintage collections for people who live free through fashion, art, music and travel. The eclectic look consists of quality apparel, shoes, and accessories that invoke attributes of femininity, spirit, and creativity with its design. Free People is distributed globally via direct channels such as the Free People US & Free People UK sites, as well as specialty boutiques, top department stores, and the brand’s own free standing retail locations in the US and Canada.
Role Summary
Free People are seeking an experienced Visual Manager to enhance visual merchandising and support sales in our wholesale stores and showrooms across Europe. This role involves frequent travel, staff training, and collaboration with sales teams to drive our brand's presence.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Stores/Sales: Visit department prospective stores to support with merchandising, display, stock and selling.
- Communicate weekly with floor managers to stay informed on floor moves/events/new opportunities/customer profile.
- Request images of stores and feedback to individual stores with visual/commercial support.
- Manage brand staff in stores and train and support to drive sales and achieve targets.
- Stock/inventory/stockroom support for stores.
- Host training seminars in stores/showroom and create/distribute product training packs monthly for each new delivery.
- Launch store initiatives/incentives and support in-store events to drive sales.
- Work with the sales team to create monthly reorder proposals and product packages.
- Support in buying appointments, bringing commercial/customer knowledge and visual support for selections.
- Log/report selling and bestsellers to team, with weekly recaps for key accounts to be sent weekly on major accounts.
Store Projects
- Coordinate all wholesale shop-in-shops and in-store events for prospective stores.
- Propose opportunities for pop up/in store events to management team.
Showrooms
- Responsible for overseeing market appointment prep and keeping the showroom and market standards aligned with NY.
- Ensure market catering and presentation is kept on brand and interesting, bringing new ideas and relaying to showroom coordinator.
- Support with EU partners: Communicate monthly to support with collection launches.
- Send showroom directives/store VM directives.
- Coordinate orders for VM elements for both stores and showrooms.
- Support partners with store launches/tradeshows/staff training.
- Source, and distribute visual merchandising props (fixture packages, logos, display, furnishings, etc.) for showrooms or any additional special projects as needed.
- Manage collection launches monthly, ensuring all aspects of the showroom are set for market.
- Work with sample team on launching deliveries timely each month.
- Manage any visual updates; dressing/outfitting showroom mannequins for new deliveries, special events or appointments, communicating this monthly to EU showrooms.
- Responsible for perfect presentation of samples in showroom reflecting appropriate collections/OTS.
What You’ll Need
- Proven experience in visual merchandising, retail management, or a related field.
- A passion for Free People and understanding of the brand.
- Strong understanding of merchandising, display techniques, and stock management.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train and motivate store staff.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
- Creative flair and attention to detail in visual presentation.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate events and initiatives.
- Flexibility to travel regularly to various stores and showrooms across Europe.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
- Fluency in English; additional European languages, specifically French, are a plus.
The Perks
- Work-life balance: Flexible start and finish times, Bring your dog to work.
- Wellbeing: Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health, Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships, Private Medical Insurance.
- Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands.
- Community: One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
- Travel: Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.
- Continued Development: We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development.
Equal Opportunity Statement
URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.
Free People EU Visual Manager (6 Month FTC) employer: Urban Outfitters, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Urban Outfitters, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Free People EU Visual Manager (6 Month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Free People's brand identity and aesthetic. Understanding their unique style will help you demonstrate your passion for the brand during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Free People, especially those in visual merchandising roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can give you an edge in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past visual merchandising successes. Highlight how your creative flair and attention to detail have positively impacted sales or customer engagement in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current fashion trends and visual merchandising techniques. Being knowledgeable about the latest trends will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you are proactive and passionate about the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Free People EU Visual Manager (6 Month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Brand: Before applying, immerse yourself in Free People's ethos and style. Familiarise yourself with their latest collections and marketing strategies to demonstrate your passion for the brand in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in visual merchandising and retail management. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in training staff, managing stock, and executing successful visual displays.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention your ability to travel and your creative flair, as these are key aspects of the position.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, consider including examples of how you've effectively trained teams or collaborated with others in previous positions. This will help illustrate your interpersonal skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Urban Outfitters, Inc.
✨Show Your Passion for the Brand
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for Free People and its unique style. Familiarise yourself with their latest collections and trends, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of fashion, art, and creativity.
✨Demonstrate Your Visual Merchandising Skills
Prepare examples of your previous work in visual merchandising. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used to enhance displays and drive sales, as well as how you can apply these skills to Free People's retail environment.
✨Highlight Your Communication Abilities
Since the role involves training staff and collaborating with sales teams, showcase your strong communication skills. Share experiences where you've successfully motivated a team or communicated effectively with different stakeholders.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and creativity. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific situations, such as managing stock levels during peak seasons or launching a new collection in-store.