Job Description

Position will require four days a week in office at our Raleigh HQ.

Job Summary:

The Sr. Visual Merchandising Specialist is responsible for partnering with Category Management and other cross functional leads to develop and execute merchandising strategies that drive incremental sales and gross margin for Advance Auto Parts through space productivity.  This role will work as an expert in executing space changes to support their IOM, managing timelines and upholding Advance Auto Parts merchandising guidelines.

What will you do?

Floorplan Accuracy, Merchandising & Systems (40%):

• Understand basic mapping and navigation of floorplans in a Blue Yonder Floor Planning system-based environment.
• Ensure mapping of new and remodeled stores reflects current prototypes.
• Execute space changes during the line review process that support the overall merchandising strategy, creating accurate item eligibility and driving optimal inventory levels of replenishment
• Create and validate processing of new floorplan versions for each planogram update requiring a space change
• Support store planogram change requests through ServiceNow ticket management and resolution

Process (35%):

• Understand and adhere to Floorplan milestones.
• Understand and proactively prepare for Category Management/Planning milestones.
• Uphold basic Visual Merchandising guidelines and best practices.
• Coordinate and follow Space Planning & Design, and Real Estate, timelines.

Communication (15%):

• Communicate effectively and professionally with strategic business partners across the organization. 
• Raise awareness of missed or at-risk milestones and propose an approach to course correction.
• Communicate solutions and opportunities within the Real Estate Grand Opening Timeline.   

Cross Functional Relationships (10%):

• Establish and develop relationships with merchandising, inventory, real estate and fellow visual merchandising partners.
• Be a vocal, strategic partner to the IOM and Visual teams through team meetings and mapping processes.
• Build trust by proactively providing credible and value-added support.
• Work with other members of the Visual Merchandising Team and partner with other teams as necessary (e.g., Real Estate, Merchandising, Inventory Planning, and Store Support).

Qualifications:

• Intermediate AutoCad and/or Space Management experience preferred
• Blue Yonder Floor Planning experience strongly preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage with various audiences
• Experience with retail analytics and/or reporting

Top 5 Required Technical Skills:

• Vendor Relations: Experience managing vendor relationships, monitoring quality, performance, compliance, and troubleshooting when issues arise.
• Merchandising Strategies: Understanding of merchandising strategies and techniques used to increase sales, such as product placement, fixture usage, promotions, advertising, and competitive pricing.
• Project Management: Skill in the process of leading the work of a team to achieve all project goals within a predetermined scope, timeframe, and budget.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to complete tasks while paying attention to all areas involved, no matter how small, ensuring thorough and accurate execution.
• Business Acumen: Understanding how a business operates, including financial literacy, how an organization makes money, organizational knowledge, and short and long-term growth strategies.

Top 5 Required Leadership Skills:

• Ownership: Sense opportunities and obstacles that create barriers to results
• Self-Development: View weaknesses as an opportunity to learn and grow; Actively work to improve weaknesses
• Innovate: Analyze advantages and disadvantages to new ideas
• Influence Others: Can compromise (win concessions) without damaging relationships
• Passion for Customers: Use knowledge about customers to put new ideas into action

Certifications, Experience, and Education:

• Certifications: None
• Experience:  2-4 years of retail and/or project management experience; and
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Design, Merchandising or related field; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience

Location & Work Availability:

This position is Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote), based at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Flexibility for occasional travel may be required.

Benefits Summary:

We believe in supporting our Team Members and those they love through comprehensive health & wellness benefits. Learn more here: https://jobs.advanceautoparts.com/us/en/benefits

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

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