Visual & Shopfit Specialist

Job title Visual & Shopfit Specialist

Location Johannesburg

Reports to General Manager – South Africa

Dotted line to UK design & visual merchandising team

Responsible for Visual Merchandising and Shopfit Management

To uphold and express the Chanel brand identity across all South African retail environments through exceptional visual merchandising and shopfit execution.

The Visual & Shopfit Specialist ensures that every boutique, counter, and travel retail space reflects the spirit of Chanel — refined, consistent, and inspiring — while delivering operational excellence and collaboration across local and global teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• New Counter & SAB Launches (South Africa & Travel Retail)

• Develop detailed project briefs for all new counters and SABs.

• Coordinate project timelines, installations, and refits between UK and local design teams, project management partner and shopfitters.
• Coordinate layouts and bespoke designs with the UK VM and Display teams.
• Manage timely availability and installation of merchandising elements.
• Manage snag corrections with shopfitters to maintain standards of excellence.

• On-Site Merchandising & Execution

• Ensure each retail space fully represents the CHANEL aesthetic and brand codes upholding global merchandising guidelines across all South African counters.

• Deliver consistency in POS hotspots, tester stands, TGPs, SED, TGS, and product layout across all SAB's and retail doors.
• Ensure all elements required for visual changes are implemented on time.
• Fragrance - Execute fragrance bay layouts to ensure the Chanel identity and merchandising is consistent across all markets.
• Makeup - Execute MED layouts for MED wall and table units.
• Skincare - Execute skincare bay layouts show casing new products using IWD Displaya
• Coordinate with the Global team for the POS screen planning such that the programming aligns to the campaign launch dates using Chanel-Channel.

• Bespoke Merchandising Projects

• Partner with the UK VM Design team to develop and execute bespoke merchandising elements.

• Implement POS and visual assets in line with campaign deadlines and marketing priorities.
• Ensure all design solutions reflect CHANEL's visual language and craftsmanship.

• Campaign & On Counter store change over management

• Translate the global marketing calendar into local merchandising actions.

• Manage lightboxes, tester stands, hot spots and counter elements to showcase updates in collaboration with marketing and display teams.
• Coordinate digital screen content via CHANEL-Channel to align with campaign timelines.

• Forecasting & Production Planning

• Partner with the marketing manager and UK design team to forecast yearly merchandising needs.

• Track and manage stock levels of visual elements, triggering reorders when required.
• Oversee the production and briefing of locally sourced elements to meet brand standards and timelines.

• Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate merchandising plans, updates, and layouts to VM, marketing, and retail field teams.

• Maintain open communication with regional managers to address and resolve in-store issues.
• Support regional teams with visual merchandising guidance and best practices.

• Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular updates to the General Manager and UK VM team on all active projects and maintenance schedule.

• Maintain professional liaison with UK teams, suppliers, and shopfitters.
• Submit the following on schedule:
• • Monthly detailed visual feedback and maintenance report.
• Monthly action plan/journey planner by the 20th of each month.
• Maintenance summary for bi-weekly Brand Core meetings.
• Quarterly visual changeovers and planograms for Cycle Meetings.
• Accurate store visit logs and supporting documentation.
• Maintain VM Asset log.
• Maintain safe keeping of VM assets ensuring best practice and cost-effective storage.

• Store Maintenance

• Maintain and track all maintenance issues, ensuring resolution within 30 days.

• Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality workmanship and competitive pricing.
• Provide monthly updates to RDMs and counter teams.

• Eventing & Activations

• Lead design, setup, and breakdown of all CHANEL events and activations.

• Oversee execution in standalone boutiques, wholesale counters, external activations, and conferences.

• Ensure best practice, cost control, and brand alignment in all visual eventing activities.

• Budget Management & Administration

• Full accountability for Visual Merchandising and Shopfit-related GL codes under A&P.

• Conduct monthly reconciliations and report to the Marketing Manager by the 15th.
• Manage PO requisitions, supplier payments, and CAPEX budgets for new counters and SABs.

• Visual Merchandising Asset Management

• Maintain and update the VM asset log, ensuring accurate tracking.

• Oversee the safe keeping and cost-efficient storage of all VM assets.

• Trade & Field Presence

• Maintain close awareness of counter presentations across all regions.

• Conduct in-person visits to Johannesburg and Pretoria weekly.
• Receive photographic feedback from Cape Town and KZN bi-weekly.
• Visit Cape Town every 8 weeks and KZN every 12 weeks.

PROFILE & COMPETENCIES

• At least 4 years of experience in a similar role
• Deep understanding of luxury retail and brand aesthetics
• Exceptional project management and organisational skills
• Collaborative, solution-driven, and detail-oriented
• Effective communication and cross-functional coordination skills
• Ability to balance creativity with disciplined execution
• Ability to understand technical plans
• Commercial awareness and budget management
• Attention to detail
• Own transport and driver's licence
• Passport and ability to travel abroad
• Computer literacy, proficient in below computer programs:
• • Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams
• Adobe Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Sketchup
• AutoCAD

Every space is an experience — a reflection of CHANEL's timeless elegance and modern artistry. The Visual & Shopfit Specialist brings this vision to life, ensuring that each client encounter is elevated, consistent, and beautifully CHANEL.