Visual Merchandising Operative

OKA; Guildford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday incl. bank holidays

Birthday day off

Health Cash Plan

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Discretionary bonus scheme

Staff discounts (60+ UK retailers)

Job summary

OKA is recruiting a full-time Visual Merchandising Operative for our Guildford store. You will enhance the in-store experience through stock replenishment, maintaining visual standards, and supporting displays across three floors.

Reporting to the Store Manager, you will create compelling visual stories, manage seasonal updates, and contribute to a premium customer journey in a luxury retail environment.

Qualifications

• Retail experience in luxury/high-end environments.
• Strong visual merchandising and interior styling skills.
• Flexible, proactive approach to retail hours and team work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high visual merchandising standards and stock levels.
• Keep seasonal room sets, displays and windows updated.
• Support VM installations and product launches across floors.
• Create visual stories to inspire customers and drive sales.
• Move and install mirrors, art, curtains and fixtures as needed.
• Ensure shop floor is clean, presentable and on-brand.
• Coordinate deliveries, stock replenishment and stock takes.

Skills

Retail experience

Visual merchandising

Store presentation

High-end retail

Job description

We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Visual Merchandising Operative to support our Retail Team, based at our beautiful store in Guildford. Situated between the bustling high street and historic castle, our OKA store is nestled in the Tunsgate Quarter amongst a host of other luxury retailers. The large store showcases our complete (and extensive) collection across 11,000 sq ft with a garden area that displays our outdoor range.

We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive. We are looking for an agile and proactive Visual Merchandising Operative with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit who can help us nurture this company culture. Reporting directly to the Store Manager, the Visual Merchandising Operative is responsible for providing an enhanced retail experience for OKA customers through the provision of stock replenishment and ensuring product availability to support visual standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Visual Merchandising & Store Presentation

• Maintain consistently high visual merchandising standards and stock levels in line with OKA brand guidelines
• Maintain seasonal room sets, product displays, and window updates within the Guildford flagship store
• Support VM installations, range launches, and visual refreshes across all three floors of the showroom
• Create and maintain visual stories that inspire customers and support commercial performance
• Carry out small DIY projects, including installing mirrors, wall art, curtains, and fixtures
• Safely move and handle large furniture as part of display changes
• Maintain a clean, well-presented, and visually compelling shop floor at all times

Operational

• Coordinate deliveries, including documentation, directing deliveries, and supporting the team with unloading, replenishment, Click & Collect, stock takes, and seasonal changes
• Guide team members on stock placement, ensuring procedures are followed and discrepancies are reported, investigated, and resolved
• Maintain stockroom organisation and presentation, ensuring consistent tidiness
• Support stock management processes, including cycle counts and housekeeping, to maintain accurate inventory levels
• Support sales and stock recalls for the wider business
• Manage faulty or unticketed stock in line with company procedures
• Pick stock for shop floor replenishment and maintain commercially presented bays
• Provide feedback on stock-related issues that arise in store
• Deliver inventory training to the store team
• Maintain stock levels and manage replenishment, including procurement of consumables (e.g. swatches, bags, paper)
• Assist with end-of-sale processes, including packing and returning stock to the warehouse in line with operational standards
• Work closely with the Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager to communicate visual guidelines clearly and support the team in maintaining standards day-to-day
• Monitor and proactively address presentation issues on the shop floor
• Work closely with store management and operations to resolve delivery errors and process issues
• Collaborate with store management to identify and manage faulty stock in line with company procedures
• Support customer interaction on the shop floor when required, contributing to an elevated customer experience
• Promote OKA’s Interior Design services through thoughtful visual placement and storytelling

ABOUT YOU

• Experienced retail professional
• Natural flair for interior design, styling, and store merchandising
• Experience and enthusiasm for high-end retail environments
• Extensive selling skills and the ability to motivate others.
• Flexible approach to working hours as the sector demands Tenacious, hardworking and reliable.
• A creative, problem-solving spirit
• Passion for the OKA brand

OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE

• 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), pro rata, plus Length of Service increases
• Day off for your birthday
• Health Cash Plan
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme
• Discounts on 60+ UK retailers via My OKA benefits platform
• Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more

ABOUT OKA

Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.

We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too preciousor perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 15stores across the UK – an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-orderserviceand athriving website.