Creative Director jobs in Gastonia, NC

Description

Position Summary:

This position encompasses both creative and management qualities and requires collaboration  cross functionally with customer service, merchandising, design, marketing, and sales to oversee the Visual Merchandising Strategy for Hickory Chair.

Position Details:

• Visual Merchandising Strategy:
  • Develop and lead the overall visual merchandising strategy for Hickory Chair, aligning it with the company's objectives and branding.
  • Work on new product development strategy together with the President and VP of merchandising
  • Edit and develop an outstanding/visionary fabric selection for the brand.
  • Coordinate trade shows
    • High Point Market 2x/year – manage entire process
    • Other shows as needed
  • Create retail packages based on sq. foot print and best sellers at retail level. Work with VP of sales to curate an offering based on territory
    • SKU assortment, price point, fabric to frame
    • Help Identify unique selling strategies such as fabric handles and limited finishes to drive sales in various channels and territories
    • Establish and communicate clear visual merchandising guidelines and standards with the retailers: paint colors, lighting, font, rugs, accessories, etc
      • Develop Visual Merchandising packets for each customer as needed
• HP Market
  • Manage market order: CAD floor plan, writing, submitting
    • Work with President, VP of Merchandising and VP of Sales to ensure best product assortment is showcased each Market
  • Work with Merchandising team for fabric to frame, ensuring fabric is in stock, sells well and has no manufacturing/QC concerns
  • Collaborate with licensees to maintain a cohesive brand image and ensure the correct product assortment is being shown
  • Manage Entire High Point Experience / Setup: music, staffing during Market, security staff, contractors, IT, etc
  • Work within the established budget
• Marketing Collaboration:
  • Partner with marketing teams to integrate promotional campaigns and events into visual merchandising displays.
  • Ensure that signage and promotional materials align with the visual merchandising strategy.
  • Work with Marketing, Merchandising, Sales teams to establish all necessary POS for each Market based on program launches, designer needs and retailer needs
• Trend Analysis:
  • Stay updated on industry trends and emerging design styles, incorporating them into the visual merchandising strategy.
  • Present narratives for each Market to the Hickory Chair executive team for approval
• Inventory Management:
  • Collaborate on inventory forecasting and allocation strategies to determine best product assortment each Market
• Budget Management:
  • Develop and manage the visual merchandising department's budget, including expenses related to fixtures, props, décor, labor, etc

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• • Bachelor's degree in interior design, visual merchandising, or a related field; master's degree is a plus.
  • Demonstrated experience of blending a creative role with strategic decision making
  • Extensive experience in visual merchandising, particularly in the furniture or home decor sector.
  • Exceptional design sense and an ability to translate design concepts into compelling displays.
  • Strong understanding of furniture trends and styles.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to travel to Highpoint Showroom and various Furniture Shows, as assigned
  • Must be Proficient in
    • AutoCAD
    • Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment expectations described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist throughout the day
• Frequent repetitive motions requiring grasping, pushing, and pulling
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. frequently; occasionally lifting up to 100 lbs with assistance.