Lead, Visual Merchandising DACH in Homeoffice bei Under Armour

Under Armour

Values & Innovation

At Under Armour, we are committed to empowering those who strive for more, and the company's values - Act Sustainably, Celebrate the Wins, Fight on Together, Love Athletes and Stand for Equality - serve as both a roadmap for our teams and the qualities expected of every teammate.

Our Values define and unite us, the beliefs that are the red thread that connects everyone at Under Armour. Our values are rallying cries, reminding us why we're here, and fueling everything we do.

Our pursuit of better begins with innovation and with our team's mission of being the best. With us, you get the freedom to go further - no matter your role. That means developing, delivering, and selling the state-of-the-art products and digital tools that make top performers even better.

Purpose of Role

We are looking for an experienced Lead Visual Merchandiser to manage the product presentation function in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
This role will own Visual Merchandising in the “Go To Market” process, ensure a premium execution at retail and deliver the highest return on investment. Partner with the merchandising, marketing and sales teams to deliver the vision of the “end in Mind”, to influence Key Accounts product assortment full adoption.
Manage and train a 3rd party visual Merchandising team within budget.

Your Impact

Manage VM across the pyramid of distribution.
Lead the Go To Market process from a VM point of view.
Work with the Merchandising, Marketing and Sales teams to deliver the best product assortment for all Strategic and Key accounts.
Build Account targeted Sell-in VM tools. Lead the showroom set up. Attend Sell in sessions to ensure capacity and VM standards are reachable.
Adopt and adapt Global and EMEA Seasonal Directives to local Accounts needs. Build content and manage external vendors to build local seasonal directives.
Lead in country seasonal kick off. Review and deliver all key spaces are set for product launches.
Ensure in season standards and KPI’s are at the highest level. Manage the relationship with Account VM teams directly. Report learning opportunities to Sales, Marketing and Merchandising.
Lead VM in the space design and refits process: Collaborate with store architect and project manager to influence the design of any new space or refit. Ensure the consumer journey works in term of capacity, story telling and flow. Balance “Drama” and “Commercial” moments.
Use consumer based knowledge to influence the zoning of the spaces. Plan the space opening: prepare zoning and plan o grams, brief the set up teams, train the store team to ensure standards will be met when the set up team will have left the space.
Ensure flawless communication with account, project manager, marketing manager, product ops. Lead the actual set up of the space until completion. Post opening, ensure action is taking place to deliver a perfectly functioning and “brand right” space.
Manage a 3rd party VM local vendor: Define account spaces needs and build a country strategy to ensure spaces are looking sharp and are successful every day of trading.
Set UA VM expectations per accounts and spaces. Set up kick off meetings to ensure the field VM a set for success for the new season.
Conduct weekly review of KPI’s and photo reporting per spaces and ensure UA functions are set to follow up on actions.
Training: Plan and Lead with EMEA VM Training Lead training curriculums for Accounts and 3rd party VM company. Facilitate in person training. Evaluate store execution to define future training needs.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree in art or fashion
8+ years of Visual Merchandising / Styling in a Premium Fashion Brand/ International Brand / Sport Brand.
Fluent in German and English. Can comfortably navigate across cultures and in a complex matrix.
Superior presentation skills (Power point, Keynote, Mockshop). Can speak to a large and diverse audience.
Demonstrate influencing skills to ensure Accounts and vendors full buy in.
The candidate must demonstrate a high capacity to adapt to changes, dealing with ambiguity, be an extraordinary team player, be a sponge when comes to trends or industry evolution.