SAINT LAURENT Visual Merchandising Manager

ABOUT SAINT LAURENT Founded in 1961, Yves Saint Laurent was the first couture house to introduce the concept of luxury prêt--porter in a 1966 collection called Rive Gauche, synonymous with youth and freedom. This shift represented a first critical step in the modernization of fashion and revolutionized the socio-cultural landscape. In 1999, the luxury goods division of the Kering Group acquired Yves Saint Laurent and, under the creative direction of Anthony Vaccarello since April 2016, continues to position the house at the summit of the luxury universe. Today, Saint Laurent collections include women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, scarves, ties and eyewear.

ROLE

The Regional Visual Merchandising Manager's role is to ensure that all stores and franchises across your regions (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar & Turkey) duly adhere to the Saint Laurent image guidelines when implementing collections and completing in-store merchandising. Reporting directly to the Middle East General Manager and functionally to the EMEA Visual Merchandising Manager, you will build strong relationships with the retail teams and dedicate time in stores to ensure that the brand's image and VM directives are embedded and enforced across the region.

MISSION

• Ensure the implementation and execution of visual merchandising standards across the region, in line with brand guidelines.

• Embed and monitor compliance across retail and wholesale accounts through the application of the brand's image and VM guidelines (analysis of photos, sending guidelines, answering store queries).

• Partner closely with the region's Retail Director to ensure alignment across VM and Retail.

• Monitor, feedback and escalate accordingly with regards to the impact of VM actions on the business.

• Prepare visual merchandising packs, including photos and plans.

• Provide support to stores required to adapt visual merchandising standards to their environment.

• Work collaboratively with the retail teams to support the delivery of business results through VM specific approaches Participate in the coordination and set-up of new locations from a VM perspective.

• Provide assistance with administrative procedures prior to the opening of new points of sale.

• Analyze visual merchandising trends within your region and provide regular detailed feedback to key stakeholders in order to drive and support the business.

PROFILE

• Minimum of 4 years experience in visual merchandising

• Good knowledge of the Middle East region

• High sensitivity and understanding of product categories and the region's luxury market

• Ratio: 80% field work, implementing and overseeing the brand guidelines in stores / 20% office-based, completing training and monitoring VM activity within the region

• Proficiency in Pack office and Photoshop - Illustrator

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in the field, with a detail orientated approach

• Strong communicator who possesses the ability to build sound relationships with key stakeholders

• Adaptable, flexible, pragmatic and responsive

• Willingness to participate in innovative projects