Visual Merchandising & Store Design Project Coordinator

RAILS International; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

RAILS International is seeking a Visual Merchandising & Store Design Project Coordinator to join its team in Los Angeles. This role focuses on executing retail and brand initiatives while collaborating with the Director of Retail Projects.

The ideal candidate will have experience in project management, visual merchandising, store design, and thrive in a creative, fast-paced environment. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects are essential.

Frequent travel is required to various sites, ensuring an exciting and dynamic work experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in retail project management, visual merchandising, store design, or related field.
• Strong understanding of retail business and store environments.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support all phases of new retail store openings.
• Develop and execute visual merchandising display activations.
• Assist with wholesale shop-in-shop environments and tradeshow installations.

Skills

Retail project management

Visual merchandising

Store design

Budgeting

Communication

Problem-solving

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Graphic design

3D modeling

Education

3+ years in retail project management or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Job description

Summary

Rails is seeking a highly organized, creative, and solutions-driven Visual Merchandising & Store Design Project Coordinator to join our growing contemporary fashion brand in Los Angeles. This role will partner closely with the Director of Retail Projects to execute a wide range of retail, wholesale, and brand environment initiatives across Rails stores and shop in shops globally.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage multiple concurrent projects with precision, and has a strong understanding of contemporary retail business trends and store environments, visual merchandising, store development, and project execution. This position combines creative thinking with operational excellence and requires both strong design sensibility and hands‑on project management skills.

This is an on‑site role based at our Los Angeles headquarters with frequent travel to stores, showrooms, and project sites.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Store Openings & Development

• Support all phases of new retail store openings from planning through execution and post-opening follow-up
• Coordinate fixture development, furniture procurement, trucking logistics, installation schedules, and vendor communication
• Assist with construction coordination, site visits, punch lists, and store setup
• Manage project timelines, budgets, trackers, and cross-functional communication
• Oversee purchase tracking, returns, claims, and shipment coordination

Visual Merchandising & Brand Environments

• Develop and execute visual merchandising display activations on a seasonal basis, with tailored in market approach and bi-weekly visual roll outs
• Work with leadership and cross functional teams to create a visual presentation that enhances key categories and takes sales driving approach with individual store and category mapping
• Coordinate in-store signage, graphics, décor, and visual communication elements
• Support fixture and display development from concept through production
• Maintain brand consistency across retail stores, wholesale environments, and showroom presentations

Wholesale, Showroom & Office Projects

• Assist with wholesale shop-in-shop environments and tradeshow installations
• Support showroom design updates and office design projects

Project Management & Operations

• Build and maintain detailed project trackers, timelines, budgets, and status reports
• Create professional presentation decks for leadership reviews and project approvals
• Manage multiple overlapping projects while maintaining strong attention to detail and deadlines
• Partner cross-functionally with Retail, Creative, PR, Product Development, Operations, and external vendors
• Troubleshoot design, logistics, and operational issues in real time

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in retail project management, visual merchandising, store design, or related field within a contemporary fashion or lifestyle brand
• Experience supporting new store openings and retail rollouts
• Strong understanding of retail business and store environments, visual merchandising, fixture development
• Experience coordinating vendors, construction teams, and fabrication partners
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and construction plans
• Strong budgeting, organizational, and time management skills
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with multiple priorities
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience creating polished presentation decks and renderings
• Graphic design experience preferred (Adobe Creative Suite a plus)
• SketchUp or 3D modeling experience strongly preferred

Additional Requirements

• Must be based in Los Angeles and able to work full-time from our Los Angeles headquarters
• Willingness to travel frequently to stores, showrooms, vendor sites, and installations
• Ability to work flexible hours during store openings and installations or peak business periods

Ideal Candidate

You are equal parts creative and operational — someone who can manage timelines and spreadsheets while also having a strong eye for design and brand presentation. You are proactive, adaptable, highly organized, and energized by bringing retail experiences to life.

Rails is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and building a diverse workplace in all its forms and considers candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. As an equal opportunity employer we welcome and consider all qualified applicants.