Description
The Visual Designer & Merchandiser is responsible for the visual presentation, merchandising strategy, inventory flow, and purchasing coordination across four large-format retail stores. This role combines creative showroom design with operational rigor, ensuring that product placement, inventory movement, and purchasing decisions align with sales performance, brand standards, and financial planning.
The position requires close collaboration with leadership, warehouse operations, sales teams, and vendors, with a strong emphasis on planning, documentation, and execution.
Planning & Reporting Responsibilities
Develop a 1-year visual and merchandising plan in collaboration with leadership
Break annual objectives into quarterly action plans and monthly execution plans
Provide monthly status reports, including progress updates and next-step action plans
Track completion timelines and flag delays or resource needs proactively
Visual Design & Merchandising
Showroom Presentation
Maintain fully furnished, visually compelling showroom floors that attract and engage customers
Design and refresh room vignettes, layouts, and focal areas to support sales and seasonal needs
Ensure visual consistency across all store locations while adapting to each layout
Product Movement & Floor Management
Coordinate with warehouse and setup teams regarding:
Items to be moved
Destination locations within stores
Required timelines for completion
Document all product movements on daily change sheets for inventory accuracy
Sales Performance Review
Monitor rate of sale for floor items present 6 months or longer
Report sales performance prior to recommending:
Repurchasing
Price reductions (tag drops)
Relocation within the store
Transfer to outlet locations
Follow established progression for underperforming items:
Move within store
Reduce price
Transfer to outlet if still unsold
Inventory Accuracy & Quality Control
Ensure all accessories are properly prepped before floor placement:
All tags removed
Felt pads applied
Confirm all merchandise:
Has correct and visible pricing
Contains accurate product information
Is free from damage
Identify and report missing tags while working the floor
Inspect transferred items for damage and report issues per established procedures
Transfers & Inter-Store Coordination
Review transfer lists and determine items needed for each store
Clearly document:
Destination store
Specific location within the store
Ensure setup teams have precise instructions for placement
Inspect transferred merchandise upon arrival and report damage promptly
Purchasing & Vendor Coordination
Expand and maintain centralized purchasing documentation
Track and account for inventory spend against budget
Maintain a comprehensive vendor list including:
Vendors and product lines
Items needed
Expected delivery dates
Payment timelines
Learn and adhere to vendor purchasing agreements
Plan purchases based on:
Sales performance
Lead times
Payment schedules
Conduct product comparisons across vendors to ensure best value and fit
Identify and source new vendors to fill assortment or category gaps
Furniture Market Planning & Execution
Attend High Point Furniture Market
Plan each market with clear purchasing goals and category needs
Prepare detailed vendor and product lists in advance
Capture notes and photos at market, including:
Product details
Pricing
Lead times
Order requirements
Produce a post-market report outlining:
Items of interest
Recommendations
Immediate purchase opportunities
Future purchase considerations
Upload photos to company Drive
Requirements
Required
Experience in visual merchandising, showroom design, or retail merchandising
Proven ability to manage large-scale retail environments
Strong organizational and documentation skills
Comfort working cross-functionally with warehouse, sales, and leadership teams
Ability to physically work on the showroom floor
Preferred
Background in furniture or home furnishings retail
Purchasing or vendor management experience
Familiarity with inventory tracking and reporting systems
Key Competencies
Visual storytelling and spatial planning
Data-informed merchandising decisions
Attention to detail and follow-through
Clear written and verbal communication
Ability to balance creative vision with operational discipline
