Permanent Contract - Retail Concepts & PLV / Visual Merchandising Manager W/M

Report: Group Visual Merchandising Director 

Context element 

The Retail Concepts & PLV / VM Manager reports to the Group Visual Merchandising Director within the Commercial / Retail Activities Department of the Hermès Group. 

Overall Mission  

As the primary point of contact for Subsidiaries / RDAI (architecture agency) / Real Estate Department / Métiers, the recruited person contributes to providing our customers with unique in-store experience through the design of inspiring, functional, and comfortable spaces. 

He/she champions the retail vision of the Retail Concepts & PLV scope and is responsible for maintaining our in-store visual identity. 

They develop and implement our Retail Concepts (for product presentation & service areas), PLV materials, and sales/service support tools for our Hermès store network across all our product categories. 

Retail Concepts / Main missions 

Manage Retail Concept projects from the briefing phase to final validation 

Identify the evolving needs of Retail Concepts through regular analysis of the existing stores and close collaboration with the various Métiers & Subsidiaries (particularly during the launch of a new product category) 

Frame and draft the Retail Concept development briefs for RDAI 

Manage the various project phases, in close collaboration with RDAI, until final validation 

Support Subsidiaries in implementing new Retail Concepts in their store projects (openings and renovations) 

Through regular updates of our Retail Bible 

Through the creation of inspirational guidelines (user guides) explaining the key points of the new Retail Concepts 

Through engaging our worldwide VM & Real Estate Communities around the new Retail Concepts (e.g., store visits, participation in VM or Real Estate seminars, etc.) 

Through regular internal communication providing visibility on the progress of Concept projects and highlighting best practices for implementation across the store network 

Through the operational monitoring of renovation requests (Minor Works), in collaboration with the Real Estate Department 

Address the cross-functional challenges within the scope 

By collaborating closely with the VM Guidelines & Training Manager for a 360° approach to issues related to the presentation of our products 

By continuously optimizing existing processes and tools to make our concept developments more quickly visible on the network 

By integrating the company's CSR objectives into our projects (choice of materials, virtual prototyping, etc.) 

By regularly staying informed about developments in Retail Design and through ongoing competitive monitoring. 

PLV / Main missions 

1. Manage the development projects for display props (PLV) and sales/service support tools 

Identify the needs for PLV displays and sales/service support tools with internal teams (VM / Customer Experience / Subsidiaries / Métiers) 

Identify and brief external designers for the design of our PLV displays/sales support tools, respecting the visual identity of the stores 

Manage the various design phases (sketches / 3D / material boards), prototype production (technical drawings), up to final validation 

Submit technical specifications to the Procurement Department for the preparation of calls for tenders; participate in the evaluation of RFQs and the monitoring of production 

Manage the overall schedule of the various projects and ensure the coordination of the different stakeholders (Designers / RDAI / Real Estate Department / Procurement / Suppliers) to meet roll out deadlines across the network  

Ensure widespread deployment of these elements across our store network 

 Coordinate the successful implementation of new product presentation concepts across the entire network (existing stores and future openings) in collaboration with RDAI, the Real Estate Department, and the Subsidiaries (Real Estate and VM teams) 

Write user guidelines for end users (VM community and sales teams), in collaboration with the relevant departments and the VM Guidelines & Training Manager 

Oversee the listing of new concepts/tools and their integration into the PLV catalog, in collaboration with the Procurement Department 

Promote new concepts/tools to end users through various internal channels (Podium booth, internal newsletters, store visits, etc.)

Addressing the cross-cutting challenges within this scope 

Identifying the right external partners (designers / retail design agencies / suppliers) to build a pool of design/prototyping expertise, enabling us to develop several projects in parallel, with high quality and responsiveness 

Integrating the company's CSR objectives into the development of these elements (eco-design, material recycling, etc.) 

Conducting regular monitoring (competition, new design trends, etc.) to ensure a thorough understanding of developments and remain relevant – and unique – in our approaches (monitoring concepts as well as new materials and production techniques) 

Candidate Profile 

• Graduated from an Interior Architecture School (ENSA Paris, ESAG Penninghen, Ecole de Condé, Ecole Boulle, ENSAAMA, Camondo, etc.) 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing visual merchandising projects or in interior architecture within the retail sector (spaces welcoming customers) 

• Essential proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Photoshop / InDesign / Illustrator) / AutoCAD technical software / 3D design and modeling software (SketchUp Pro – Rhino – 3ds Max – Cinema 4D, etc.) / rendering and visualization software (V-Ray, Enscape, Keyshot, etc.) Knowledge of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Teams, Excel, Outlook) is appreciated but not essential. 

• Strong retail culture combined with a genuine customer focus to leverage our store concepts to enhance customer experience. 

• Team spirit and excellent interpersonal skills to unite a multidisciplinary community around our projects and challenges. 

• Fluent English (used daily within our VM team).