Manager, VM Development

Estée Lauder Companies; New York (NY); On-site; USD 88,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in New York seeks a Visual Merchandising Development specialist to drive prestige VM displays for Sephora, Ulta and other retailers.

You will coordinate with brand designers, a NA Project Manager, and vendors to develop Open Sell and counter displays that meet design, manufacturability and cost targets. Responsibilities include reviewing renderings, selecting vendors, value engineering, and managing the production timetable to hit launch dates.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of VM construction and development methods within prestige cosmetics.
• Experience with injection molding, vacuum forming, acrylic/metal fabrication, LED lighting.
• Ability to read and provide direction on technical drawings.
• Excellent teamwork with strong analytical, negotiating and communication skills.
• Must multi-task and adapt to changing environment.
• 5 years in display industry preferred.
• 0-5% travel.
• Ideally, education in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Design.

Responsibilities

• Review VM design renderings with brand designers and select vendors to ensure cost effectiveness and ease of installation.
• Evaluate design intent, conduct technical analysis, consider materials and manufacturing processes.
• Liaise with vendors on design intent, material selection, and sustainable solutions.
• Review/approve vendors’ engineering proposals.
• Value engineer parts for cost savings and record savings.
• Provide direction based on cost targets, regulatory requirements, and quality needs.
• Manage vendor development timetable to meet launch dates and first-off production.
• Approve or amend vendor submissions of drawings, prototypes, pre-production samples and packaging.
• Review testing protocols to ensure durability and in-store longevity.

Skills

Visual Merchandising construction

Prestige cosmetics experience

Mechanical drawing interpretation

Team collaboration

Vendor negotiation

Cost engineering

Reading engineering drawings

Travel readiness

Education

Mechanical Engineering education

Industrial Design education

Job description

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.

Description

Overview: The visual merchandising development position requires experience in point-of-sale display manufacturing techniques and an understanding of design engineering for the retailing of prestige cosmetics. It entails supporting the development process for the production and updating of three-dimensional, high quality VM systems (for Sephora, Ulta, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc). The selected candidate will liaison with the designers within each brand, a NA Project Manager, selected production vendors and an Indirect Procurement person. This position requires assisting in the timely development of innovative Visual Merchandise systems for use at prestige cosmetic counters based on customer requirements, manufacturability, and marketing objectives. Position includes development of Open Sell displays as well as counter-top (Visual Merchandising) displays. Selected candidate will not be designing displays. Position would report to the RDDC, NA Director of Development.

Responsibilities

• Review VM design renderings from brand designers and partner with team members (Program Manager and Indirect Procurement) regarding selection of vendor to help ensure the system and their updates are cost effective, sustainable and easy for customers to install.
• Evaluate design intent, conduct technical analysis, consider material and manufacturing processes, conceptualize mechanical and material ideas for production to achieve brand design.
• Liaison with selected vendor to assess design intent, material selection, sustainable solutions and discuss potential engineering alternatives.
• Review / correct / approve vendors’ engineering proposals.
• Value engineer parts for cost savings. Record cost savings.
• Provide clear direction and technical recommendations and choices based on cost target, regulatory requirements, environmental legislation, consumer safety and quality/aesthetic needs.
• Manage the vendor’s development process (timetable) to ensure the quality of the primary display structure, the secondary printed parts and the outer protective packaging for distribution.
• Under the direction of the RDDC, NA Group Executive Director of Development, approve or amend (vendor- submitted) engineering drawings, prototypes, pre-production samples, pack-outs, decoration and final (“first”) production. Work with the Program Mangers to manage the delivery date of the first-off in time to meet the ultimate launch dates.
• Review all testing protocols and test results to ensure the durability and quality of the unit for the duration of its in-store lifespan.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Visual Merchandising construction and development methods preferably within
• prestige cosmetics such as: - Injection Molding - Vacuum-Forming - Acrylic Fabrication - Metal Fabrication - Decoration Process - Use of LED lighting
• Ability to read and provide direction on Technical/Engineering drawings necessary
• Must be an excellent team player with strong analytical, negotiating and communication skills and have an ability to work with multiple departments with excellent follow up and organizational skills.
• Must possess the ability to multi-task, think outside of the box and establish priorities yet be flexible in an ever-changing environment.
• Work with vendors to develop progressive, sustainable solutions.
• Value engineer with vendor engineers for cost effective solutions within brand budgets.
• Decision making abilities and self-reliance.
• Ability to sketch a plus
• 5 years in Display Industry preferred
• 0-5% Travel
• Ideally, education in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Design

Pay Range

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $87,550.00 to $143,800.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices.

Michigan Applicants: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed.

Philadelphia Applicants: Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law

Rhode Island Applicants: The company is subject to chapters 29-38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.