The Visual Merchandising (VM) Planner is a subject matter expert responsible for developing customercentric merchandising strategies that enhance product selling while maintaining brand integrity in the divisions they support. This role oversees department priorities, standards, and training programs to ensure visual consistency and optimize store execution. They drive innovation, merchandising excellence, and the creation of store-facing tools, aligning with brand identity to deliver a dynamic shopping experience. This role is heavily focused on training, and collaborates closely with merchants, regional and store teams to ensure we are creating clear department identities and allow for a more seamless customer shopping experience. As needed, the planner will visit stores to teach and lead new floor sets, merchandising strategies, and styling with our teams to elevate our presentation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop and refine merchandising strategies aligned with divisional objectives and customer trends.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, influencing store presentations, fixture sets, merchandise displays, and mannequin styling.
• Support store design efforts, including fixture development, layout improvements, and repurposing existing fixtures.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including leadership, merchants, store design teams, buyers, and planning directors.
• Analyze data to inform strategic merchandising decisions and drive business outcomes.
• Research industry trends, competitive landscapes, and customer preferences to enhance merchandising effectiveness.
• Ensure brand consistency while integrating innovation into visual merchandising strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on signing, hangers, sensors, and store communications.
• Manage numerous projects concurrently to ensure each aligns with the Nordstrom brand ethos, meets deadlines, and business priorities.
• Align merchandising strategies with marketing editorial calendars to reinforce brand messaging.
• Drive fashion messaging across departments, providing styling guidance for visual merchandising teams.
• Lead virtual and in person visual merchandising training sessions, sharing knowledge and best practices with store teams.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Strategic Mindset: Thinks ahead about how to enhance the performance of their team. Is aware of how own work connects to the broader organization's strategy.
Drives Vision: Takes steps to advance the organization’s vision and ensures that own efforts align with the team's goals and priorities. Operates with a clear sense of purpose that gives meaning to everyday activities.
Builds Trust: Gains trust by showing consistency between what is said and what is done. Fairly represents the interests of others and is trusted to speak up on their behalf.
Customer Focus: Speaks clearly about the importance of the customer; fosters a sense of urgency toward customer needs. Secures appropriate organizational resources and support to meet current customer needs. Supports efforts to build customer satisfaction, loyalty and commitment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in Visual Merchandising management or equivalent required
• Working knowledge of adobe suites, auto cad, sketch up is a plus.
• Experience building planograms.
• Proven knowledge and experience in fashion trends, visual merchandising styling techniques and how they relate to specific customers
• Experience delivering concepts from ideation to execution.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in written form
• Working knowledge of adobe suites, auto cad, sketch up is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time, work weekends and PM shifts as needed
We’ve got you covered…
Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:
Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away
Life Insurance and Disability
Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources
A few more important points...
The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.
Nordstrom conducts background checks and considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com.
Please be mindful that there may be legal notices and requirements related to this job posting that are specific to your state. Review the Career Site FAQ’s for relevant information and guidelines.
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Pay Range Details
The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations.
Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
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