At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the in-store experience strategy across Fashion, Home & Beauty for visual excellence.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a forward-thinking retail leader transforming the industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experiences and drive commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven senior management experience in Visual Merchandising with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
The Head of Field VM is accountable for driving the instore experience strategy across Fashion, Home & Beauty, encompassing the pillars of layout, product handling, kit usage and styling. Manages a clear end-to-end process from engagement through to training and implementation, in order to deliver a defined standard of visual excellence across our stores, which delivers to the business strategies to enable commercial growth through our UK retail spaces.
Leads through expertise of the fashion retailing sector, with a detailed lens on the evolving landscape of competitors globally. Leads through decisive and commercial strategic planning, and provides the Field VM team with clear prioritisation and structured ways of working. Takes the central guidance and implements it with an expert understanding of space, layout and market opportunity, measuring the commercial impact of decision-making practical implementation to inform the ongoing evolution of our stores.
Working across the UK, the Head of Field VM is an ambassador for delivering the marketing and product strategies and ensuring buy-in, to deliver the customer journey which both inspires and delivers ease of shop. This is a field-based role, with travel and on-site working expected as part of the remit.
Manages the plan to deliver the Model Store strategy by division which delivers in seasonal best practice and enables a format for delivering training to all VM colleagues. Leads all new store/renewal planning, including managing resource requirements. Manages the flow of trade actions both from retail and into retail (via the support centre). Proposes updates to guidance in season to maximise commercial gain. Manages the day-to-day ways of working with the Field VM Team, leading by example in terms of effective movements with a cost-conscious lens.
Confirms the tools required to deliver the Store Experience strategy across the varied store formats and concepts – i.e. kit, new formats of POS, additional information. Is the primary contact for senior leadership within Retail and works in collaboration with the support centre team, to engage and knowledge share at a senior retail level (Regional Managers, Store Directors). Manages relationships with key stakeholders and ensures the correct level of information is provided – Inform/consult/engage/collaborate.
Champions an open dialogue with Retail to obtain feedback on strategy, as well as initiating regular instore reviews enabling informed feedback/PIR, to obtain key learnings and inform the way forward. Champions a customer point of view and relates everything back to our customer, using relevant customer insight, commercial/industry data/KPIs to inform decision-making and measure success. Supports strategic opportunities, inclusive of our Omni proposition, to aid business transformation, and encourages innovative thinking across the team.
Drives company values and behaviours across immediate and wider team, through effective leadership. Accountable for enabling an informed, engaged, and effective team who are experts in their roles.
Who you are:
- Proven experience working in VM in FH&B at senior manager level with proven leadership capability.
- Strategy management with proven commercial success in driving KPIs.
- Shows resilience and persistence through periods of change and challenge.
- Excellent technical Visual Merchandising and coaching capability.
- Excellent communication and key stakeholder management.
- Confident understanding/articulation of the brand identity.
Everyone's Welcome:
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Head of Field VM employer: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that champions innovation and inclusivity within the retail sector. As the Head of Field VM, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team while driving strategic initiatives that enhance the in-store experience across Fashion, Home, and Beauty. With a commitment to employee growth and development, Marks & Spencer provides a supportive environment where your expertise can flourish, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in a forward-thinking company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Field VM
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fashion retail sector and let them know you're on the hunt for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at events or interviews, share your insights on visual merchandising trends and how they can impact sales. This will position you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a store that could use a visual revamp, don’t hesitate to drop them a message with your ideas. This not only showcases your skills but also demonstrates your passion for enhancing the customer experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic roles waiting for you, and applying directly shows your enthusiasm for joining our team. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Field VM
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in visual merchandising, especially in Fashion, Home, and Beauty. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for the instore experience!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Field VM, you'll be leading a team, so don’t forget to mention your leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven commercial success in previous roles.
Be Data-Driven:We love numbers! Include any KPIs or metrics that demonstrate your impact in past positions. This will help us understand how you measure success and make informed decisions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Know Your Visual Merchandising Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your visual merchandising knowledge, especially in the Fashion, Home, and Beauty sectors. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in the past and how they drove commercial success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership capabilities. Think about times when you've successfully managed a team or led a project, particularly in a retail environment. This will demonstrate your ability to lead the Field VM team effectively.
✨Understand the Brand Identity
Familiarise yourself with the company's brand identity and values. Be prepared to articulate how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to enhancing the customer journey through effective visual merchandising.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would manage relationships with key stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your approach to collaboration and communication, as well as how you would gather feedback to inform your strategies and decisions.
