FBP Store Planning & Visual Merchandising Manager

Job description

About the job

As a Store Projects & Visual Merchandising Executive, you will be the guardian of CHANEL’s image across boutiques, department stores, and retail travel. You will oversee the planning and execution of store openings, renovations, retrofits, and visual merchandising projects. From managing technical fit-outs to bringing podiums and events to life, you will play a key role in elevating the CHANEL retail experience across all points of sale. Your role also includes hands-on administrative and operational support, inventory oversight, and ensuring sustainability through effective fixture management.

Leveraging Your Unique Experiences, CHANEL Will Enable You To…

·  Represent CHANEL’s brand identity across multiple channels through thoughtful store design and visual merchandising.
·  Collaborate with global, regional, and local teams to adapt creative visions into tangible client experiences.
·  Coordinate and manage contractors, vendors, and landlords to ensure timely and high-quality project execution.
·  Provide administrative and technical support for all projects, including work permits, project tracking, inventory, and equipment orders.
·  Own and lead retrofit initiatives to improve visibility and functionality at points of sale.
·  Contribute to special projects, such as pop-up stores and unique installations that showcase the spirit of CHANEL.
·  Maintain sustainability in visual merchandising by managing lifecycle, recycling, and disposal of promotional fixtures and props.

You are energized by…

·  Working in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment with dynamic visual merchandising requirements.
·  Bringing to life creative event setups and podiums that align global concepts with local market goals.
·  Finding smart, detail-driven solutions to balance brand image, cost, and ROI.
·  Managing the maintenance and presentation of promotional spaces throughout the event lifecycle.
·  Ensuring timely project delivery while adapting to evolving challenges and high expectations.
·  Keeping promotional spaces functional, visually impactful, and environmentally responsible.

What You Can Bring To The Team…

·  A degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field, with strong technical expertise in tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Office.
·  3–4 years of experience in project coordination or visual merchandising within luxury retail or fast-paced environments.
·  A strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings, VM plans, and translate them to real-world execution.
·  Excellent communication and organizational skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage multiple external partners.
·  A proactive and resilient mindset with an eye for detail, a creative flair, and the drive to independently manage multiple concurrent projects.
·  Passion for luxury, strong brand alignment, and a commitment to upholding the CHANEL image at every touchpoint.

At CHANEL, we believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity and vibrancy of our teams, and we foster an inclusive culture so that everyone can perform at their best. We strongly encourage your application, and value the perspective and experience you can bring to CHANEL.

Key Responsibilities:

ŸVisual Image and Design coordination

·  Identify the visual image needs for different boutiques / counters in markets and work with Regional team to validate and finalise the design brief
·  Implement the designs & plans created by Regional design team
·  End-to-end follow through on boutiques / counters construction in close liaison with Regional design team, local team and external contractors
·  Continuously assess external vendors / contractors for price and adherence to CSR requirements
·  Supervise and assure the quality of build developed by contractors
·  Provide design feedback to Regional team and work closely with local FBP teams to ensure design elements meet and deliver on desired client experience.
·  On-going assessment and maintenance of boutiques / counters to ensure the visual image is up to standard and visually appealing for our clients.

ŸVisual Merchandising and Retail Marketing Activities

·  In alignment with business objectives, priorities and the marketing plan, work in close collaboration with the marketing, client and retail teams, to ensure excellence in execution and on time delivery of transparencies and SPMs.
·  Supervise the installation of display material assets at all points of sales ensuring it meets image standards. Provide clarity in instruction to front line staff on a) destruction of display material; b) controlling the usage of dummies; c) distribution of display materials, stock management of display materials at all points of sales.
·  In accordance with business objectives and marketing plan, plan for outpost designs, window and in-store retail marketing activities that are required to drive business objectives.
·  Supervise the construction of outpost, window, in-store promotions and retail marketing activities to ensure excellence in design construction delivery.
·  Estimate and control construction expenditure within aligned budget and returns on investment (where applicable) with marketing.

ŸBoutique new opening/ renovation / retrofit planning

·  (Re-)establish rigour in the end-to-end process from store design to boutique opening, including lead times required
·  Coordinate with Finance, Real Estate team, and Regional team on business needs, design, and business case requirements for new doors / renovations / retrofits
·  Work in collaboration with retail team on design brief, and business objectives of new doors, renovations or retrofits
·  Establish partnerships with counterparts from landlords to conduct collaborations and negotiations that require for boutique projects. Employ effective communication and negotiation skills to achieve favorable conditions and results for our operation.
·  Oversee and manage the compilation and completion of RFPs (Request for Proposals), RFIs (Request for Information), contracts, documentation, submittal reviews, landlord requirements, and LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements. Ensure meticulous attention to detail and adherence to regulatory and contractual obligations.
·  Provide comprehensive oversight and supervision throughout the bidding process, negotiations, and awarding activities. Utilize strong negotiation skills to ensure optimal outcomes and effectively evaluate proposals for the successful selection of vendors or partners. Uphold rigorous standards of excellence and integrity to safeguard the integrity of the process and achieve favorable results.
·  Visit the construction sites and all FBP boutique projects, undertaking thorough on-site supervision, inspections and preparing comprehensive reports. This encompasses tracking project progress, milestones, punch list completion, and ultimately, the boutique opening. Attention to detail is essential in ensuring the quality of construction, as well as identifying any outstanding issues that require resolution with ability to guide the team in achieving the highest standards of quality and excellence in boutique enhancements.
·  Establish a close collaboration with the FBP Lead to ensure ongoing updates on project status, progress, and risk identification. Fosters seamless communication, facilitates informed decision-making, and enables effective coordination among all stakeholders. By adopting a proactive approach to information sharing and driving the overall success and timely completion of projects.
·  Ensure construction cost adheres to planned budget and benchmarked against similar door typologiesManaging and developing professional vendor relationships in nurturing existing vendor partnerships while also actively seeking new ones. Leverage your extensive network and industry knowledge, qualify potential vendors who align with the organization's standards and objectives to access to reliable and high-quality suppliers that contribute to its success.
·  Project Coordination and Delivery
·  Refine project planning process for the VM team focused on delivery lead times or decisions required at key milestones; creative flexibility and adopt an agile method where possible to flex for market context and business priority changes
·  Adopt the role of the delivery project lead, and create transparency in a non-linear process that allows other stakeholders to provide input on changes, whilst adhering to non-negotiable execution milestones
·  Coordinate with Regional team on amplification of image-driven pop-up events and podium installations
·  Collaborate with Regional team on market adaptations, and gather market feedback on business needs
·  Budget Management
·  Prepare annual budget needs for events / installations, boutique renovation, retrofit, maintenance, and operational enhancements
·  Forecast appropriate SPMs quantity and follow through on order processing and delivery
·  Leadership and Change Catalyst
·  Inspire other functions to consider the visual identify of FBP through the lens of VM team
·  Shift from delegation of execution tasks to promoting a culture of collaboration within the VM team and in working relationships with other functions
·  Coach and empower team members to think creatively about how to solve for current operational challenges, and “test and learn” potential solutions to existing pain-points
·  Lead by example in having a positive mindset and adapting new ways of working with other functions, creating flexibility in how we achieve results against a common business objective

Person Specifications:

Academic / Professional Qualifications 

·  Degree or Diploma in Graphic Design, Visual Merchandising, Interior Design or equivalent
·  Sound knowledge of PC and Macintosh platforms and software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D software and MS office

Work Experience

·  Min 5 years of hands on visual merchandising and shop/counter construction project management experience, preferably in the Beauty/Fashion industry with supervisory experience

Required Competencies

·  Excellent organization skills and ability to work under pressure
·  Good interpersonal and communications skills
·  Attention to details
·  An excellent understanding and sensitivity towards luxury and CHANEL Beauty’s positioning in the market, balanced against the fast-paced nature of the beauty industry
·  Understands and applies the methods of design thinking in validating design specifications and amplifying creative concepts from Global in alignment with desired client experiences
·  Creative vision, design detail-oriented, with the confidence to validate design execution decisions together with CAP, Marketing and Retail teams
·  Accountable and responsible leader with a strong sense of ownership and positive attitude
·  Excellent project planning and organization skills; experienced in defining, adapting and managing non-linear plans
·  Strong collaboration, agility in adapting to market changes / business priorities
·  Proactive in seeking alternative solutions, especially when context or business needs deviates from original plan
·  Excellent communication with internal stakeholders and negotiation with external suppliers

           

Key Interactions:

Internal

·  Local FBP Team
·  Regional VM and Architecture Teams

External

·  Local vendors and suppliers