Store Design Executive

Dobbies Garden Centres; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A national garden centre retailer is seeking a Store Design Executive to enhance customer experience through strategic store designs. This role involves collaboration with contractors and store teams while managing refurbishment projects. Ideal candidates will have experience in visual merchandising, strong planning skills, and a passion for garden living. The position offers a hybrid working model and various employee perks.

Benefits

33 days of holiday

Generous employee discounts

Enhanced pension scheme

Interest-free season ticket loans

Access to Wagestream

Support through Retail Trust

Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy

Free tea, coffee, and milk

Invitations to company events

Qualifications

• Self-motivated, team player, able to work independently.
• Relationship-building skills and workload management.
• Detail-oriented with practical hands-on approach.
• Open to feedback and continuous learning.
• Driving license required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Design Manager - Store Experience in designing and optimizing retail environments.
• Visit stores to gather requirements for branding and visual merchandising.
• Brief contractors and oversee costs for store layouts and branding.
• Collaborate with contractors on new store kits and design implementations.
• Analyze data from refurbishment projects to inform future activities.

Skills

Experience in VM at store or head office level

Customer-focused with a positive attitude

Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills

Ability to interpret visual ideas through sketches and 3D visualizations

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Knowledge of AutoCAD and SketchUp or similar software

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Store Design Executive to join our Customer team on a 12-month fixed-term basis. This role supports the Design Manager – Store Experience in creating a best-in-class in-store experience that enhances customer satisfaction and drives sales. The position can be based at our Central Support Office in Lasswade or our Hub at Dobbies Milton Keynes.

Responsibilities

• Support the Design Manager - Store Experience in designing and optimizing retail and hospitality environments during refurbishment projects.
• Visit stores prior to refurbishment to gather requirements for branding and visual merchandising.
• Brief external contractors, oversee costs, and ensure store layouts and branding are implemented according to standards.
• Assist store teams with new store standards and coaching for upkeep.
• Contribute to restaurant design projects, including concept development and procurement.
• Manage day-to-day aspects of strategic store design projects, including Home, Pet, and Foodhall.
• Collaborate with contractors and suppliers on new store kits and design implementations.
• Serve as the main contact during store build and installation phases, especially for trial stores like Edinburgh.
• Document store design concepts as blueprints for future refurbishments.
• Analyze data from refurbishment projects to inform future activities.
• Oversee prototyping to ensure compliance and safety standards are met.
• Support the rollout of new store design and visual merchandising plans.

Measures of Success

• Refurbishments completed to brand standards.
• Positive relationships with colleagues and contractors, fostering a 'one team' culture.
• Enhanced customer experience reflected in sales performance.

Candidate Profile

• Experience in VM at store or head office level.
• Customer-focused with a positive attitude.
• Passion for garden living, customer experience, and store design.
• Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret visual ideas through sketches and 3D visualizations.
• Self-motivated, team player, able to work independently.
• Relationship-building skills and workload management.
• Detail-oriented with practical hands-on approach.
• Open to feedback and continuous learning.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with knowledge of AutoCAD and SketchUp or similar software.
• Driving license required.
• Demonstrates our company values: teamwork, continuous improvement, positivity, and a passion for gardens.

What We Offer

• 33 days of holiday (pro-rata for part-time).
• Generous employee discounts across stores, restaurants, and garden centres.
• Hybrid working model.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing.
• Support through Retail Trust, including confidential support and healthcare services.
• Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy and funded courses.
• Perks like free tea, coffee, and milk, and access to wellbeing and learning spaces.
• Invitations to company events, summer and Christmas socials.

About Dobbies

Founded in 1865, Dobbies is the UK’s only garden centre retailer with stores nationwide. We celebrate garden living and community through our stores, events, and charitable efforts. We are committed to creating a supportive and inspiring environment for our colleagues and customers alike.