Retail Creative & Visual Manager

Castore exists for one single reason – to make athletes better. Our ethos is built upon the philosophy of BETTER NEVER STOPS, an ideal deeply infused in our DNA and something we strive to live every single day. We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best. Designed with a passion for innovation with specialist features to help to optimise athletic performance in all conditions.

The founders’ vision is to build Castore into a brand respected across the globe for a deep and unrelenting commitment to engineering the highest quality sportswear in the world, with no stone left unturned in its search for innovation and performance enhancement.

The sportswear market has been dominated by a small clique of mass-market brands and the vision is for Castore to be a premium alternative to these, the natural brand of choice for discerning athletes who demand the very best.

What’s the Job?

You will specialise in retail design, concept development and Visual Merchandising. You will support and influence your stores in developing the season’s concept, implementing, and maintaining an impeccable brand image across all stores. You will have experience in Visual Merchandising, capable of combining a creative flair with the commerciality needed to maximise sales through creating your store's displays and deliver visual proposition that supports the store's Activity Calendar, including New Season, Sale and Christmas.

What will I do?

• Ensuring stores look their best, working closely with our Area Managers to keep the stores at their highest standard and drive retail excellence.
• Expert project management skills, you will manage multiple projects at any one-time including store openings, kit launches and new season.
• Will form part of new store openings team where you will carry out a key role in launching new stores.

• Artwork and store POS: Preparation, briefing, checking and approval across all functions.
• Budget: responsible for build and maintenance of budget. Recording spend, flagging issues and finding savings/efficiencies with purchasing and suppliers.
• Management of external suppliers, designers, agencies
• Maintain and update all VM trackers so that all VM communication streams are easy to understand and up to date
• Able to think innovatively and creatively to create inspirational POS and promotional units which can reflect each brand identity
• Confident to present designs and prototypes to secure management approval and progress projects at critical stages of development. Communicate project updates to the marketing and commercial teams, manage expectations, receive, and deliver clear feedback.
• People management and development skills, you will guide and support our store teams with clear and concise communication as well as support our Area Managers to do their best work - with the best tools
• Liaise with Buying and Merchandising departments to obtain relevant information in order to compile and create VM guidelines.
• Compile and process relevant promotional / events briefs to enable stores to implement said promotions in partnership with colleagues from the Marketing team.
• Assist the marketing team with ordering and briefing promotional materials
• Take an active role in the planning, launching and presentation of model stores to the wider business and retail colleagues
• Carry out store visits to ensure effectiveness of VM / POS briefs and compile relevant feedback.

What skills and qualities will I need?

Skills and Experience:

• In depth working experience in retail environments
• Experience in Visual roles in clothing retail specifically
• Ownership of retail projects, in the form of new store openings, pop-up events and new season set ups
• Proven record in delivering a visual proposition & excellent store presentation standards consistently
• Confident with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint
• Must be a confident driver who is happy travelling frequently and comfortable with staying away as and when – some international travel may be required
• Flexibility of working hours will be required to align with retail activity

Personal Qualities:

• You are a team player and willing to adapt to work across all brands and sites
• Strong leadership qualities and excellent communicator
• Highly organised with prioritisation skills and strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Hands on management style
• Highly numerate - strong analytically and Excellent commercial acumen.
• Ability to create new concepts and a brand vision
• Thrive in a fast paced environment

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Modern city centre offices in Manchester
• An opportunity to work with global sporting partners
• Office breakout space with pool tables, dart board and TV’s
• A chance to build a career with a fast paced, high growth brand