Visual Merchandiser & Brand Champion

BARBOUR; South Shields; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in South Shields is seeking a Visual Merchandiser & Brand Champion for a temporary role covering maternity leave. The successful candidate will ensure high-quality visual merchandising across various retail outlets and collaborate with marketing and account managers to align with brand standards. This role requires creativity, strong time management skills, and proficiency in design tools. Benefits include a discretionary bonus scheme, staff discounts, and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Discretionary bonus scheme

Staff discount

Healthcare Cash Plan

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Training and development opportunities

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

Early finish at 4 pm on Fridays

Wellbeing support

Refer a friend bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Proficiency in InDesign and Adobe Suite required.
• Strong creativity aligned with brand vision.
• Excellent time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain consistent VM standards across all accounts.
• Collaborate with account managers for product training.
• Support retail store managers with VM guidelines.

Skills

Creativity

Time Management

Attention to Detail

Collaboration

Tools

InDesign

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe Suite

Job description

Company Description:

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields, North East England. Founder John Barbour started supplying oilskins and garments for sailors, fishermen, and dockers. Now a fifth-generation family-owned business, Barbour's headquarters remain in South Shields. Under Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, the brand has expanded into a global lifestyle brand, available in over 55 countries, offering stylish, functional clothing, footwear, and accessories inspired by the British countryside. Iconic wax jackets like the Bedale and Beaufort continue to be handcrafted in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, a program encouraging customers to extend the life of their wax garments through services like re-waxing, repairs, and upcycling initiatives, with over 70,000 garments processed annually worldwide.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Visual Merchandiser & Brand Champion to join our Visual Merchandising team on a temporary basis, covering maternity leave. This role ensures high-quality visual merchandising across wholesale accounts, partner stores, and Barbour retail outlets within the designated area, including window displays, in-store merchandising, and online brand presentation. The role requires collaboration with account managers, marketing, and the VM team to align with brand standards and objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Maintain consistent VM standards across all accounts and locations in the area.
2. Collaborate with account managers to deliver product training and seasonal focus updates.
3. Lead in-store staff training on brand standards, mannequin styling, and display techniques.
4. Coordinate with Marketing on pop-up designs, installations, and shop fit updates to maintain visual standards.
5. Support retail store managers in implementing VM guidelines and space planning.
6. Work with Brand Champions to develop seasonal training programs for store staff.
7. Create bespoke seasonal training to support wholesale accounts, taking a lead role with one key account.
8. Assist in setting up VM guidelines in mock shops and adapting them to wholesale needs, aligned with key product drops.
9. Support VM Manager in window design development, aligned with the commercial calendar and marketing team.
10. Complete weekly VM reports on visits and online checks, sharing findings with relevant teams.
11. Assist in preparing seasonal setups in South Shields and project manage the London showroom setup.
12. Support Marketing & PR teams with event setups as needed.
13. Conduct competitor shop reports to identify new ideas and growth opportunities.
14. Manage personal calendar efficiently to meet business priorities.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Proficiency in InDesign.
• Strong creativity aligned with brand vision.
• Excellent time management skills, capable of working under pressure.
• Flexibility regarding workload and working hours.
• Willingness to travel, including overnight stays and occasional night shifts.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• High attention to detail and quality standards.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Suite, and internet tools.
• Interest and knowledge in fashion.

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Staff discount.
• Healthcare Cash Plan.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Early finish at 4 pm on Fridays.
• Wellbeing support.
• Refer a friend bonus scheme.

Additional Information:

• The role covers Midlands, Wales, and Ireland, focusing on Birmingham, Cardiff, and Dublin.
• Candidate must be based in or willing to relocate to the region.
• This is a temporary role covering maternity leave.

Note:

• Applications may close early if sufficient suitable candidates are found. Early application is encouraged.