At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage visual presentation across 20 showrooms and enhance sales through effective merchandising.
- Company: Join a leading furniture retailer with a focus on creativity and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, employee discounts, and a company van for travel.
- Other info: Field-based role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on showroom aesthetics and customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in visual merchandising and strong DIY skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Role Overview
Responsible for the visual presentation of circa 20 showrooms.
Equal time must be spent at all showrooms, with overnight stays planned where necessary to facilitate this focus in line with business activity.
Build strong working relationships with the Divisional Sales Manager (DSM) as well as Showroom Managers & Colleagues to ensure commercial and visual priorities are aligned.
In this field‑based role you will be provided with a van, fuel card and will travel to showrooms in the South East region.
The role is Monday to Friday with approximately one overnight stay per week.
Responsibilities
- Review the performance of each showroom and recommend layout changes to improve sales.
- Collaborate with retail colleagues on product updates and implementation requirements, following Health & Safety guidelines for manual handling of large and heavy products.
- Manage display product implementation across the division and feed back proactively and efficiently with central commercial and retail teams.
- Keep up to date with Health and Safety / Manual Handling training.
- Line‑manage the Display Assistant on a day‑to‑day basis, help plan new ranges, workload for range moves and store maintenance.
- Ensure the Display Assistant maintains in‑house systems (damaged displays & replacement ordering) with accurate records and informs correct central departments.
- Maintain a premium showroom standard for display stock look and feel.
- Manage budgets and costs within agreed spend.
- Ensure visual consistency in showrooms, following brand styling guidelines and ranging principles.
- Create and keep digital floor plans accurate & up‑to‑date for every showroom for all product launches, then submit them back to CCM for final approval.
- Book hotels with the company‑preferred partner within agreed budgets.
- Foster close working relationships with the VM Manager, Creative Concept Manager and other DVMs to improve sales and brand perception through effective Visual Merchandising.
- Position furniture, accessories and props to reflect customer profiles.
- Continuously improve visual merchandising standards and presentation by studying competitor developments within the furniture sector and beyond.
Qualifications & Requirements
- 12‑month fixed‑term maternity cover contract.
- Previous experience as a Visual Merchandiser in retail.
- Experienced & confident in all aspects of DIY, including power tools and high‑standard decorating.
- Exceptional eye for detail and ability to plan space requirements via digital floor plans.
- Physical merchandising for consistent product implementation.
- Essential IT skills: Excel, Google Sheets & Illustrator.
- Space planning & Sketch Up knowledge is an advantage.
- Great communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated commercial awareness and ability to interpret data to drive sales performance.
- Physically fit; able to lift and move furniture (with another person).
- Role model for professional behaviours, challenging effectively and upholding OFL's \"Customer First\" principles and values.
- Develop a feedback culture by giving, asking for and encouraging best practices.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build professional relationships at all levels.
- Highly organised with an analytical, commercial approach to problem solving and a strong can‑do attitude.
- Employment Details
- Location: South East region (South Ruislip, Thurrock, Tunbridge Wells, Dartford or Orpington preferred but not essential).
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, with approximately one overnight stay per week.
- Travel: Field‑based; will travel between showrooms across the South East.
- Compensation: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, additional day off for birthday, pension 4% employee contribution matched by the company, 2× annual salary life assurance up to age 65, free cover.
Benefits
- Employee discount on Oak Furnitureland products after successful completion of probation.
- Health and wellbeing discounts on gym memberships.
- Employee Assistance Programme – telephone and face‑to‑face counselling services.
- My Rewards Programme – discounts on restaurants, supermarkets, entertainment and holidays.
- Company van and fuel card provided.
- Premier Inn card for overnight stays, including meal allowance.
- Phone allowance.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Divisional Visual Merchandising Manager in Birtley employer: Oak Furniture
At our Swindon Distribution Centre, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a positive and collaborative work culture. As a Yard Waste Manager, you'll not only lead a dedicated team but also benefit from comprehensive employee support, including generous discounts, life assurance, and a robust pension scheme. We are committed to your professional growth, offering training opportunities and a focus on continuous improvement, making this a rewarding place to advance your career in waste management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Divisional Visual Merchandising Manager in Birtley
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Oak Furniture, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Oak Furniture!
We think you need these skills to ace Divisional Visual Merchandising Manager in Birtley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Oak Furniture, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Oak Furniture and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Oak Furniture that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oak Furniture
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
