Visual Merchandise Group Leader | Retail | IKEA DFC

Job Requisition ID: 172747 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview Of The Role:

The Visual Merchandise Group Leader/Manager plays a critical role in positioning IKEA stores as leaders in life at home within the market, driving sales and long-term profitability through effective implementation of global solutions. The role involves overseeing store media development and HFB areas, optimizing store layout, and enhancing IKEA's market presence through innovative presentation solutions. Collaboration across teams to exploit commercial opportunities and maintain operational excellence is key, along with a focus on developing and supporting a talented visual merchandising team.

What You Will Do:

Visual Merchandising Leadership

• Lead, inspire and challenge the visual merchandisers to strengthen the IKEA identity in range presentation and home furnishing solutions.
• Ensure visualization of the uniqueness of IKEA product range in various specialty shops, furniture compacts, self-serve furniture areas, and the Swedish Food market.
• Coach and support visual merchandisers in using global tools and solutions, making them locally relevant as needed.
• Inspire the visual merchandisers and Com&In team with up-to-date knowledge about home furnishing, retailing, and trends.

Operational Responsibilities

• Develop store media and HFB areas like store layout, specialty shops, and self-serve furniture areas.
• Support visual merchandisers in creating commercial messages that reflect diverse styles, living situations, and price levels.
• Implement changes to highlight new articles and boost underperforming products by optimizing their display.
• Ensure room sets are maintained in 'as new' condition through daily checks and regular maintenance work.
• Participate in projects related to store activities, including rebuilding business areas based on performance feedback.

People Management & Development

• Ensure interior designers have necessary training in safety and security aspects of equipment usage.
• Ensure all visual merchandisers are properly trained, including development programs to secure store performance and succession needs.
• Involved in recruitment of visual merchandisers, ensuring vacancies are filled with candidates possessing required technical skills.
• Secure positive results in employee surveys and take action in areas with low satisfaction.

Strategic Contributions

• Actively support development of country business plan and Com&In action plan with interior design initiatives.
• Contribute deep knowledge and home furnishing competence in working with the Com&In team and other functions.
• Act quickly to exploit commercial opportunities and understand impact of Com&In actions on financial results.
• Develop floor plans to scale, build sets with assistance from carpenters upon approval from Com-In Manager and Sales Manager.
• Support the commercial calendar and succession planning by searching for potential new candidates and involvement in recruitment processes.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Customer-focused approach.
• Individual accountability and leadership skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong team player with very good communication skills.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Degree or Diploma in Interior Designing, Architecture, Spatial Design, or Retail Design.
• 3-5 years of experience in a relevant role.
• Proficient in MS Excel and other MS programs.
• Excellent command of English and preferred Arabic language skills.

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.