Manager, Visual Merchandising - West Elm

West Elm; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

401(k) plan

Paid vacations and holidays

Health insurance

Commuter benefits

Wellness program

Job summary

West Elm in San Francisco is seeking a Manager, Visual Merchandising to lead store visuals from the office to the field. You will partner with directors and cross-functional teams to shape cohesive seasonal concepts, create differentiated store experiences, and translate brand aesthetics into compelling retail environments.

The role requires 3–5 years of experience, strong brand sense, and the ability to train and develop others.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years visual merchandising experience with project management and supervisory responsibilities.
• Ability to balance creativity with business acumen.
• Influencing, problem analysis and decision-making skills.
• Strong understanding of trends and brand-reflective style.
• Moderate travel required.
• In-office work Monday–Thursday.

Responsibilities

• Partners with Director of Visual Merchandising and corporate team to create cohesive and elevated visual merchandising strategy for West Elm stores.
• Ideate strategies and big ideas per season with cross-functional teams.
• Create distinct visual merchandising strategies across all stores.
• Contribute ideas for store environment, display, props and styling.
• Plan product placement and merchandising for retail presentations and floor sets.
• Manage flow of merchandise and samples from photo studio.
• Communicate brand initiatives to the field.
• Work with visual department to execute store promo directions.
• Assist in brand mock store setups seasonally.
• Act as a brand ambassador reflecting company values and aesthetic.

Skills

Visual merchandising

Project management

Supervisory experience

Moderate travel

InDesign knowledge

Tools

InDesign

Illustrator

Job description

About the Team

West Elm is is a leading brand in modern aesthetic and is part of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio. The visual merchandising team is made up of creative, collaborative thinkers who bring fresh ideas to life in our stores. Our role is to identify opportunities, shape market strategies, build meaningful connections with customers, and ensure the brand design translates into our retail stores.

Job Description

West Elm is is a leading brand in modern aesthetic and is part of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio. The visual merchandising team is made up of creative, collaborative thinkers who bring fresh ideas to life in our stores. Our role is to identify opportunities, shape market strategies, build meaningful connections with customers, and ensure the brand design translates into our retail stores.

About The Role

This role focuses on visual interpretation and direction from the office to the field. This role works cross functionally with both office partners and field partners to ensure visual standards and expectations are exemplary. The Manager, Visual Merchandising reports to the Director of Visual Merchandising.

Responsibilities

• Partners with Director of Visual Merchandising and corporate team to create cohesive and elevated visual merchandising strategy for West Elm stores.
• Acts as partner to cross functional teams to ideate strategies and big ideas per season.
• Partners with Visual Merchandising team to create distinct and differentiated visual merchandising strategies across all stores.
• Contributes ideation for the overall seasonal store environment and experience by providing new and innovative ideas of display, merchandising, props and styling.
• Assists in the planning of product placement and merchandising of retail presentations and visual floor sets.
• Manages flow of merchandise needed for seasonal floor set , as well as samples needed from the photo studio
• Assists in communication of brand initiatives to the field.
• Responsible for working with visual department to execute and communicate store promo direction.
• Assists in brand mock store set ups seasonally.
• Acts as a brand ambassador reflective of the company values and aesthetic.

Criteria

• 3-5 years visual merchandising experience, including project management and supervisory responsibilities.
• Ability to balance creativity with business acumen.
• Influencing, problem analysis and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to train and develop.
• Has a strong understanding of trends and style that is reflective of the brand.
• Broad knowledge of competitors and trends.
• Basic knowledge of computers. Experience with InDesign or Illustrator preferred.
• Moderate travel required.
• In office required Monday-Thursday.

Our Culture & Values

We Believe That Taking Care Of Our People Is Vital To Our Success And We Strive To Offer Equitable And Transparent Practices For All. We Prioritize Connection, Growth, And Wellbeing. Our Associates Are Encouraged To Bring Their Authentic Selves To Work, So They Can Be Their Best And Achieve Their Personal And Professional Goals. We Make Inclusivity a Cornerstone Of Our Culture By Welcoming Associates With Diverse Cultures And Backgrounds And Celebrating Them, Together. We Nurture An Open, Inclusive Environment For All. Our Differences—whatever They May Be—are Valued, Explored, And Appreciated. Together, We’re Creating a More Just And Inclusive Company Culture Where The Only Criteria For Advancement Are

Criteria for Advancement

• The quality of our work
• The contributions we make to our teams and the business
• Our ability to lead and connect

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. Outside of WSI, we recognize the importance of playing a part in our communities through partnerships, collaborations, and commitments to a more just and inclusive world.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Resources for self-development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $86,000 - $101,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.