Visual Merchandiser

Filson; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Filson is seeking a Visual Merchandiser in Seattle to own seasonal visual merchandising strategy across store fleet, retail and partner locations. Translate brand storytelling into floor sets and merchandising plans for in-store and showrooms.

The role covers seasonal planning, live execution, collaboration with Creative, Marketing, and Retail Leadership, and travel up to 30% for market visits and new openings. Strong communication and time-management are essential.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in Visual Merchandising, ideally with a blend of retail and corporate experience.
• Hands-on experience executing visual merchandising initiatives — window displays, mannequin styling, and campaign installations — in a retail store environment.

Responsibilities

• Create seasonal floor set directives and narratives to guide visual direction each season (6-8 per year).
• Guide store tiering strategies and coordinate pre-season and in-season planning.
• Present merchandising vision to store management and support fleet-wide execution.
• Communicate product delays and tiering adjustments to retail teams.
• Develop and communicate seasonal and holiday direction, including artwork and displays.
• Travel 20-30% for market visits, openings, and refits.

Skills

Visual Merchandising

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

InDesign

Adobe Creative Suite

Claude AI

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Visual Merchandiser owns the visual merchandising strategy for Filson's store fleet from seasonal planning through in-season execution, translating product and brand storytelling into floor sets and channel merchandising plans that carry through retail, wholesale, and partner locations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Seasonal Planning + Visual Merchandising

• Create seasonal floor set directives and seasonal narratives (looks, color stories, etc.) to guide visual direction each season. (6-8 per year)
• Guide retail tiering strategies across pre-season and in-season, advising on store capacity and assortment planning.
• Present seasonal merchandising and the visual merchandising vision and product knowledge to store management team prior to each launch. Support execution in flagship and communicate any nuances / substitutions fleet wide relative to delays or shifts in business
• Communicate product delays and tiering strategy adjustments to retail teams.
• Deliver and reinforce floor set direction to retail teams in-season, executing layout changes that reinforce the consumer journey based on brand initiatives and current style selling.
• Manage the visual merchandising calendar and budget to drive efficiency.

Energy Moments + Promotions

• Partner with Creative and Marketing to develop in-store signage supporting merchandising initiatives, energy moments, collaborations, promotions and events.
• Support guest experience and hospitality initiatives playing into each store’s unique location / space
• Direct display standards for product displays, fixtures, and visual storytelling elements, and set and maintain lighting per company standard.
• Develop and communicate seasonal and holiday direction - artwork, imagery, furnishings, and music - and execute seasonal and holiday displays to enhance the store environment.
• Support retail, wholesale, and marketing teams through tailored merchandising plans for events.
• Establish a feedback loop between stores and merchandising to identify opportunities in store layout, color selection, and product displays, and partner with Retail Leadership to track compliance and level of execution at the store level.
• Identify visual merchandising opportunities and creative solutions during store visits, setting plans in motion directly rather than following up after the fact.
• Drive test-and-learn projects around layout changes, new fixtures, and other visual innovations to refine the customer experience.

Wholesale and Partner Channel Support

• Design and set up displays and mock shops for showrooms and trade shows during market weeks and buyer events.
• Create and distribute visual merchandising toolkits and planograms for wholesale partners to execute locally.
• Train retail staff and collaborate with sales reps to optimize product placement in third-party stores. (travel required)
• Guide international distributor partners on Filson store buildouts, including design inspiration, fixture packages, and additional support as needed.
• Act as lead designer and visual merchandiser for shop-in-shop opportunities, including fixture packages.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4+ years of experience in Visual Merchandising, ideally with a blend of retail and corporate experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office. InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite, AI (Claude)
• Hands-on experience executing visual merchandising initiatives — window displays, mannequin styling, and campaign installations — in a retail store environment.
• Understanding of retail business structure: process, goals, reporting, and analysis.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and skilled at managing time effectively.
• Open to feedback and solution-oriented in applying it.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with flexibility and persistence, paired with a passion for improving processes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to travel 20-30% of the time, including for market visits, new store openings, and refits.
• Able to lift and carry up to 35 pounds; heavier merchandise handled with team assist.

Filson and Shinola are equal opportunity employers. We believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings which are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy that all decisions involving any aspect of the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran and military status, genetic information, political ideology or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated.

With regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, the company offers what the law refers to as "reasonable accommodation" to enable a person to perform his or her job.

Salary range:

$80,000 - $95,000 USD