VP, Visual Merchandising & Brand Experience

Verano•Chicago, IL

48d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Visual Merchandising & Brand Experience will define brand/product presentation and storytelling within the retail environment, ensuring a consistent, elevated, and dynamic brand/product experience across markets and stores. The Vice President of Visual Merchandising & Brand Experience will be responsible for owning how Verano tells brand stories in a retail store setting with the goal of capturing attention, driving customer engagement, increasing sales, and impacting vertical mix.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising, Marketing, Design, Retail Management, Business or related field.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
12-15+ years of experience in visual merchandising, brand experience, retail design, creative or experiential leadership.
7-10+ years of experience leading large, multi-level teams.
Formal training in brand strategy, consumer experience/CX, design thinking, retail analytics or merchandising strategy.
Ability to balance creative vision with operational execution.
Track record measurable retail outcomes such as increased sales, improved customer engagement, and stronger brand consistency across all channels.
Effective consultative and influencing approach, with proven ability to work effectively with all organizational levels

Nice To Haves

Proven ability to lead, influence, and inspire teams across markets.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
Customer-centric mindset with a passion for service excellence.
Proficiency with retail systems, reporting tools, and standard business technology.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
Demonstrated adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments.

Responsibilities

Define and lead the visual merchandising vision for Zen Leaf and MUV across all owned retail stores
Establish the creative standards that guide how product, storytelling, and brand come to life in physical environments
Continuously evolve visual merchandising standards to reflect Zen Leaf and MUVs brand evolution, product innovation, and category growth
Drive innovation in floor sets, merchandising strategy, fixtures, and storytelling that differentiate Zen Leaf and MUV’s in‑store experience from the cannabis industry
Translate brand and product narratives into compelling, commercial in‑store storytelling
Collaborate with Product, Marketing, and Procurement teams to ensure alignment of asset investments with storytelling focus.
Develop compelling product presentation and brand story-telling collateral.
Design and oversee production of customized merchandising and visual merchandising elements when necessary.
Anticipate merchandising opportunities and proactively bring forward ideas that elevate the customer engagement experience
Monitor category performance, sales volumes, gross margin, and inventory ROI. Adjust merchandising strategies and pricing to maximize profitability.
Conduct market visits to review, assess and monitor issues, progress and opportunities.
Create a store audit program to evaluate execution of visual merchandising, marketing initiatives, signage, and customer shopping experience.