Global VM Planner

BARBOUR; South Shields; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the fashion industry is seeking a Global VM Planner to enhance their retail experience and brand consistency. The role involves developing visual merchandising strategies, creating guidelines, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive performance across various channels. Ideal candidates have a strong understanding of fashion retail, excellent organizational skills, and a creative mindset to adapt to marketing needs.

Benefits

Discretionary Company bonus scheme

Staff Discount

Healthcare Cash Plan

25 days holiday increasing with service

Free onsite parking

Subsidised canteen

4pm finish on Fridays

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience in visual merchandising within global fashion retail.
• Strong understanding of fashion trends and consumer behavior.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across global markets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global visual merchandising strategies.
• Create seasonal VM guidelines and display strategies.
• Analyze store performance and optimize product placement.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Analytical mindset

Communication

Team player

Creativity

Education

Experience in visual merchandising planning

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

VM planning tools

Job description

Company Description:

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour's wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Global VM Planner to join our Global Visual Merchandising team. This role will be responsible in working with the Global VM manager to support the development of Global VM Guidelines, Collection seasonal launches, VM Tool kits and materials, to shape the retail experience.

This is a new opportunity to join our team as a dynamic Global Visual Merchandising Planner. In this role you will be responsible for developing and executing global VM strategies to drive brand consistency, enhance customer experience and maximise commercial performance across retail / wholesale channels. Working closely with the global VM manager and with cross functional teams, you will ensure the VM plans align with seasonal product launches, promotional activities and market needs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic planning and execution

• Develop and implement where required global visual merchandising strategies to enhance brand identity and commercial success.
• Create seasonal VM guidelines, planograms and display strategies for apparel, footwear and accessories.
• Lead VM planning for important energy city store openings when applicable, store renovations and key activations.
• Partner with marketing, brand and design to ensure alignment between VM storytelling and business objectives.
• Collaborate with buying & merchandising to review buys and sales data and optimize product placement.

Operation & Performance Management

• Further develop a global VM calendar aligned and adjusted for markets with the global commercial calendar.
• Conduct market visits with the global VM manger when required to access VM execution and identify areas for improvement.
• Analise store performance, customer behaviour and industry trends to refine VM strategies.

Visual Merchandising tools and assets

• Help create and maintain tools such as planograms, product display guides and store layout instructions.
• Support in producing digital assets and VM materials that will be shared across global markets.
• Assist in updating and refining internal VM resources.

General Support

• Provide day to day support to the global VM manager on various ongoing projects.
• Participate in meetings and contribute fresh ideas and insights to improve visual merchandising.
• Together with the global VM manager and cross functional teams support the VM planning of showrooms ahead of key launches and be part of the execution.

Skills and Experience:

• An interest passion and understanding of the Barbour brand
• Experience in visual merchandising planning within a global or multi market fashion retail environment.
• Industry knowledge - strong understanding of fashion apparel, footwear and accessories including seasonal trends and consumer behaviour.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects across global markets.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, In design, illustrator, Canva, Microsoft Office Power point, Excel other VM planning tools such as mock shop are an advantage.
• Analytical Mindset; Ability to interpret data to drive VM guideline and strategy.
• Communication - Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience in training and influencing teams.
• Flexibility to travel when needed internationally for VM training, rollouts and store visits.
• A team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multitask and manage deadlines effectively.
• A creative thinker with a strong eye for visual aesthetics and commercial appeal.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff Discount
• Staff Shop
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
• Access to training and development activities to support your career development
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support
• Refer a friend bonus scheme

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.