Visual Merchandising Analyst

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Bolingbrook, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience with over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., continually opening new locations and re-engineering existing ones with the latest design and technological advancements. The Visual Merchandising Analyst is responsible for the development of in-store elements, including product display units (POP) and semi-permanent fixtures for assigned categories, from concept to completion. This role involves project management, strategic sourcing, budget maintenance, supplier management, strategic innovation, communications, relationship management, and inventory management. The analyst will manage the Skincare and Bath categories, and may also be involved in visual merchandising sustainability research, policy implementation, and other special projects.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a relevant field (Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Project Management) preferred.
Minimum 4-5 years of visual merchandising, POP display design, or fixture design work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Analytical and process management and development skills.
Self-starter capable of meeting tight deadlines while managing multiple projects.
Exceptional handling in negotiations, value analysis, and supplier management.
Significant experience utilizing Microsoft Office Applications: Excel (managing complex data sets including store distribution, UPS tracking reports, Support Ticket Data, Fulfillment Reports) including: V-Look ups, pivot tables, reports), Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Office 365.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in corporate visual merchandising or in-store marketing experience.
Working knowledge with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, PhotoShop).
Experience with project management scheduling software, workflow management, and other workflow tools like Monday.com & Workfront.
Experience with CrossCap distribution and sourcing management (or similar applications).

Responsibilities

Develop in-store elements including product display units (POP) and semi-permanent fixtures for assigned categories from concept through completion.
Manage assigned business categories: Brands and projects as assigned by Visual Manager for Skincare and Bath categories.
Conduct Visual Merchandising Sustainability research, Sustainability policy and implementation, and other special projects as assigned.
Author Universal Briefs for projects requiring fixture development.
Collaborate with internal and external cross-functional partners to scope projects, develop in-store strategy, oversee budget, manage timelines, and monitor project progress.
Manage ambiguity and develop strategic plans with varying degrees of input.
Pivot and maneuver as plans change while keeping focus on end-to-end milestones.
Manage all estimating and invoice processing for assigned projects, ensuring projects remain on budget.
Process all invoices in a timely fashion and before period closing, resolving discrepancies with suppliers.
Share estimates with merchants and business partners for visibility and forecasting.
Ensure contracted rates are adhered to by suppliers.
Communicate project scope, asset turnover, timeline, and budget with suppliers.
Partner with suppliers to determine design solutions, materials, and fabrication.
Troubleshoot live projects with vendors and resolve issues as they arise.
Develop and present dimensional produced items (product display units or dimensional signs) from flat design concepts.
Bring the Visual Merchandising point of view to the center of discussions, making recommendations to business partners.
Research industry design trends to inform and develop new fixture and visual initiatives.
Partner with other visual merchandising team members to ensure visual merchandising documents are consistently updated.
Effectively communicate with all internal and external partners.
Create, edit, and contribute to the development of communication guides including Visual Standards Documents, Display Instruction Sheets, and store communications.
Communicate category strategies and project updates with the extended internal team.
Present project strategy, plans, development, and completed projects to leadership.
Manage relationships with cross-functional teams including Creative, Production Design, Merchants, Store & Service Operations, Field and Store teams, Space Planning, Floor Planning, Procurement, Finance, Facilities, Integrated Marketing, Loyalty & Store Design.
Analyze root causes and develop strategies and process improvements for continuous improvement.