Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and the brands they represent, is the premier specialty retailer of high quality home furnishings in the United States, Canada and Australia. Known for their outstanding customer service, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, west elm and Williams-Sonoma are among the most iconic and well respected retail brands in North America. We market our products and engage our customers through three major channels — retail stores, catalogues, and the Internet. All our brands allow customers to design, furnish and decorate every room in the home — from the kitchen to the living room, bedrooms, nursery, home office, laundry room and even the hall closet.
Our West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids brand is now available in the UK, through Williams-Sonoma UK Limited. We believe our Company has limitless potential, driven by our associates and their imagination, passion and commitment. We provide an exciting and creative work environment, along with a variety of opportunities for professional as well as personal growth. Our associates receive a generous discount on products as well as a variety of benefits including, but not limited to a competitive pension plan, employee assistance program and service recognition gifts.
SUMMARY: Assist leadership and Visual Manager in developing and executing the visual inspiration for store merchandising. Execute action plans to ensure the store successfully meets visual merchandising objectives to drive sales and convey the spirit of the brand. Participate in all aspects of visual merchandising and display, collaborates with Visual Manager other team members to ensure flawless execution of seasonal floor sets. Inspire others to keep the store presentation relevant, fresh, and inspirational.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure that all visual standards are consistently maintained and elevated within store.
Interpret & execute visual inspiration to drive sales & convey the eclectic, creative & modern spirit of the brand.
Ensure merchandising & displays are visually compelling to drive sales.
Continually seek out inspiration, trends & ways to elevate product, decorating & styling expertise.
Replenish the sales floor regularly & maintain visual presentation & displays.
- Participate in mapping and planning of seasonal floor sets with the Visual Lead and/or Assistant Store Manager - Visual.
Execute floor set to reflect the inspiration, standards & spirit of the directive within required timeframe.
Partner with Visual Lead and/or Assistant Store Manager - Visual to develop action plans to drive sell through and maximise the store\'s inventory/ownership. Swiftly react to sell-through/inventory and increase profitability through visual merchandising.
- Train and inspire store team on the brand\'s vision of visual merchandising standards and display.
- Foster an environment where all associates are treated with respect and diversity is valued, in accordance with our People First Philosophy.
- Uphold Company values of customer service and satisfaction, as needed assist in selling and service functions.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
EXPERIENCE:
1-2 years working in merchandising, styling, visual art and/or craft role.
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/COMPETENCIES:
Ability to interpret and execute merchandising from inspiration.
Understanding of design, composition and aesthetics. Ability to maintain brand integrity through visual display techniques. Impeccable eye for detail.
Strong artistic background in a variety of media
Ability to manage and prioritise multiple projects.
Ability to quickly adapt, develop and execute strategies successfully
Ability to motivate, inspire and influence others
Ability to lead self and others to achieve results
Excellent communication, planning, prioritising and organisational skills
Ability to be mobile on the sales floor for extended periods of time.*
- Availability to work within a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business; this will require evenings, weekends and holidays.
Ability to lift and mobilise medium to large items, up to 30kg, while utilising appropriate lifting equipment and safety techniques.*
EDUCATION:
GCSEs or equivalent experience preferred.
REPORTS TO: Area Manager
*Williams-Sonoma UK is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and would be happy to consider reasonable adjustments to accommodate a candidate with a disability.
**This position description is not inclusive of all duties and responsibilities and can be changed without notice**
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visual Associate in London
✨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 WILLIAMS SONOMA, 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 WILLIAMS SONOMA!
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 WILLIAMS SONOMA, 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 WILLIAMS SONOMA 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 WILLIAMS SONOMA that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at WILLIAMS SONOMA
✨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!
