Temporary Associate Manager, Visual Design & Store Merchandising (2 Month Contract)

About The Role

The Temporary Associate Manager, Visual Design & Store Merchandising is a detail-driven, cross-functional role at the intersection of brand storytelling and retail execution. You will support visual merchandising programs across our most critical North American retail partners – including ULTA, Macy's, and department store equivalents – spanning 2,000+ doors. From coordinating with design agencies and managing planogram updates to tracking prototypes and supporting maintenance programs, you will help shape how our brand shows up at shelf and in-store. This role is well-suited for a collaborative, organized, and creatively minded professional who is comfortable managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment and communicates proactively to keep projects on track.

Primary Responsibilities

• Fixture Programs & Gondola Updates
  • Support planning and execution of gondola updates in partnership with Channel and Global Marketing, contributing to a roadmap that drives efficiency across 2,000+ doors
  • Coordinate with design agencies on gondola templates, planograms, and supporting graphics, ensuring brand alignment, visual impact, and retailer-specific format requirements are met
  • Route designs through the internal approval process (Global Marketing, US Channel Marketing, Sales); track prototype reviews, manage vendor revisions, and support final artwork sign-off prior to production
  • Monitor costs against budget and flag variances; review store-level execution instructions for accuracy prior to rollout
  • Support gondola overhaul projects as assigned, coordinating across Creative, Global Marketing, and US Channel Marketing teams; assist with tracking vendor options, timeline milestones, and phased installation logistics
  • Confirm accuracy of final artworks with design agencies, verifying graphics, copy, product images, and legal copy prior to production release
• Visual Merchandising Maintenance
  • Serve as a key point of contact for US in-store maintenance requests, triaging issues (equipment, cosmetic, lighting) and identifying cost-effective, timely resolutions
  • Partner with procurement to source and manage contractors; review quotes and hold vendors accountable to quality and completion standards
  • Coordinate lightbox rollouts in department stores, providing door lists and creative direction to graphic agencies
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Coordination
  • Maintain clear and proactive communication with internal stakeholders (Channel Marketing, Global Marketing, Sales, Creative) to ensure alignment before and during execution
  • Manage project timelines, track deliverables, and flag risks early to keep programs on schedule
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with external design agencies and vendors, providing clear briefs and constructive feedback
  • Support preparation of internal presentations, recaps, and status reports for leadership review

Key Stakeholders

• US Channel Marketing
• Global Marketing
• Sales Teams (North America)
• Global Creative
• Procurement
• Design Agencies & External Vendors

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in interior design, architecture, industrial design, graphic design, or a related field
• 3–6 years of experience in visual merchandising, retail design, or a related field; beauty or prestige retail experience preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Clear and effective communicator, with the ability to collaborate across internal teams and manage external agency and vendor relationships
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable reviewing technical documents, artwork files, and vendor quotes for accuracy
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, or SketchUp) and a solid understanding of retail fixture design and production processes
• Familiarity with major North American prestige retail environments (ULTA, Sephora, Macy's, department stores); experience working with large-scale door counts a plus

Pay

The rate for this role is $45/hr.