Ruhshana Parker
Visual Merchandising Manager
Cape Town
Summary
Meticulous merchandising professional adept in merchandising plan development and seasonal promotions illustrated over 7 years in Visual Merchandising role. Creative and hardworking with demonstrated success in driving sales through artistic visual displays.
Work well under pressure and keeping teams motivated to deliver on expectations.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Visual Merchandise Manager
TFG
Cape
04.2021 - Current
- Platterkloof 3Ruhshana Parker, Archive | Sportscene | Sneaker Factory
- Creative & conceptual :
- Creating seasonal and promotional visual displays in an innovative way to entice customers and enhance the brand in the consumer’s mind
- To ensure all concepts and implementation are in line with the brand strategy and followed through from creative campaign
- To continually innovate the in-store experience to create an exciting shopping experience
- To develop visual equipment in accordance to the business needs and strategy
- Stores: New, Revamp and Existing:
- To ensure attendance of all shopfitting meetings & to provide open communication & relevant action plans
- To work closely with store design department regarding layout plans
- Equipment consolidation for ordering purposes for Visual & Ops
- Visual detail for store design, i.e
- Paint, wallpaper, panel heights, branding etc
- To ensure all visuals & equipment are in place on time for new stores & revamp stores
- To brief specs of the application requirements to production team, in all new, revamped or existing stores within the critical path
- To ensure contingency plans for any deviation off the original critical path & implement changes with a sense of urgency to ensure a successful store opening
- To ensure that all store plan visual requirements are signed off by the marketing manager within a critical path
- To ensure that all sizes received are correct and all sizes are obtained within the required critical path
- To facilitate a feedback process on every store opening/revamp
- Assist in store openings and, when required, ensure a successful launch
- Manage all implementation from a visual merchandising concept/action plan to in-store, ensuring the consistency
- All queries from field and display managers co-ordinated with relevant information feedback or action
- All new projects/rollouts planned and executed accurately to conceptual / action plan
- Update all relevant parties if strategy or changes are made so that stores can implement timeously
- Production briefs & suppliers:
- Achieving the correct quantities required for all production, and ensure correct quantities and store breakdown per element.
- To sign off all relevant sizes, substrates and quantities with the production co-ordinator.
- To follow-up on all relevant parties to ensure that critical deadlines are met to ensure delivery into store
- To ensure that all print material is quoted for and signed off within the critical path to ensure effective budget use
- To maintain healthy relationships with relevant suppliers to achieve the right quality, service and price
- Regular on-site inspection when applicable to keep the standards high
- To participate in reviewing suppliers with constructive input in order to create new processes to improve the service and standard levels
- Communication:
- Seasonal Housing - Prepare any relevant information/booklets required for stores and coordinate parties nationally to adhere to the required deadlines
- Ad hoc communication
- To ensure effective communication in the form of downloads or email to relevant parties for any instructions required for visual merchandising
- Yoobic Operations and Yoobic Boost Management
- Instructional and LMS
- Apps to communicate with store and field teams .-To communicate and facilitate any communication and set up processes required to get relevant sign off for various projects for mock up windows ruhshanap@gmail.com 0727362221
- Panorama
- Designed displays to deliver interactive, engaging, and memorable store experiences for shoppers.
- Interacted with customers to obtain feedback and drive satisfaction.
- Motivated and mentored merchandise team to achieve high performance and job satisfaction.
- Set and managed merchandise budgets to maximize profits and control expenses.
- Negotiated pricing with vendors to achieve maximum profitability.
- Collaborated with marketing team for prompt promotion of products.
- Bult positive relationships with vendors for consistent and reliable supply of products.
- Monitored inventory levels and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and profits.
- Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.
- Reviewed customer feedback to identify trends and improve product selection.
- Maintained updated product knowledge to successfully educate and advise customers.
- Organized store merchandise racks by size, style, and color.
- Incorporated new design techniques to create innovative and eye-catching displays.
- Utilized paper, fabric and props to create displays.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Developed merchandising strategy to efficiently move overstock.
- Monitored store traffic and customer engagement to determine display effectiveness.
- Promoted seasonal products and trends to move stock and prepare for incoming inventory.
- Arranged consistent shelves, bins, and racks at Number locations by following established planograms.
- Developed themes, props and lighting for merchandise displays.
- Developed visual merchandising plans and strategies to promote store offerings.
- Created visual displays to highlight new and featured products.
- Presented store update suggestions and layouts to management and stakeholders.
- Enhanced overall store appearance by applying careful consideration to product and display locations.
Visual Merchandise Manager
TFG
04.2021 - Current
- Archive, Sportscene & Sneaker Factory
- Managing 3 brands within the Sports Division from value chain to our premium sneaker door across
- Communication , LMS & New store development (over 7 mil business collectively)
- Manage / approve on New store layouts
- Managing a team of three overseeing respective brands
- Work closely with GSD Teams (design & procurement ) create market relevant and world class customer experience through best floor layouts & F&f
- Ensure VM planning directives are delivered to the highest quality and on time and in full
- Assist in the creation of consistent and relevant VM planning seasonal guidelines and training manuals
- Execute and leverage key category strategies for seasonal and new product launches
- To elevate the visual merchandising and consumer journey by identifying digital opportunities and key focus areas within stores
- Maximize impact of key brand and product campaigns
- Implement processes to drive efficiency and consistence at market and cluster level
- Support the ideation and creation of elevated retail activations
- Department administration
- Creation of reports and analysis of campaign executions
- Contribute to the achievement of team objectives and KPIs.
Senior VM Coordinator
Parker
Cape Town
08.2017 - 03.2021
- TFG – Archive (Archive is South Africa’s premium streetwear destination, which has an extensive collection of highly coveted, limited edition sneakers, clothing and accessories.)
- New store development:, preparation of signage layout & vm layers, store layout and density approval
- Merchandising, space planning for world class merchandising and prep of housing standards store vm manuals
- Manage & housing
- Support the Visual Manager with all channels of business: old stores, refurb stores and new stores
- Support the Visual Manager with VM directives, promotional display guides, in-store visual training, floor plans, store openings, etc
- Collaborate with Visual Manager on sourcing in-store props and materials
- Candidate will be responsible for tracking and coordinating of marketing material deliveries to stores
- Select imagery for the graphic packs of new stores
- Ensure all visual collateral is maintained
- Support the Visual Team with store openings and other store related activities – design, production, installation, sourcing materials, imagery selection, operations, and logistics
- Partner with field teams (area visual merchandisers and area sales managers) to ensure all visual needs are met in a timely manner
- Source mock up images from field visual merchandising team
- Liaise with and align with Marketing team on promotions and product launches to manage visual communications to stores
- Analyze completion and provide feedback to Visual Manager
- Assist with all Visual operations as needed
- Report back on new stores after opening by analysing photos and reporting back to Visual Manager and Properties and Facilities team
- Accomplishments
- One of Tfg’s first Yoobic super user – digitise instructional communication to stores
- Building brand and customer experience consistency, maintaining 97% growth engagement
- Developed VM strategy & housing workshops for implementation by VM teams
- My contribution in new store and space planning enabled for streamlined forecasts and correct assortment allocations.
- Launched ‘Recline’ monthly event collaborating with our branded partners to bring sneakerhead s and the sneaker community to one space to engage with our newly launched products.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
Marketing Coordinator
TFG
07.2008 - 07.2017
- Sports Division (sportscene, Duesouth & Totalsports)
- Manage department traffic and deadlines
- Budget management
- Marketing calendar update and distribution
- Co-ordinate & liaise with global brands on upcoming launch campaigns
- Agency communication: Campaign production process
- Campaign coordination (including brand campaigns)
- In-house and agency briefing and production process
- Co-ordination of marketing material to stores
- Compile and distribute official marketing communication to stores
- Proof-reading packaging and artwork to communicate look and feel of brand
- Presenting Marketing, Management and Board meeting presentations
- Coordinating all sponsored events (DS Xterra and adhoc events)
- Communication and visual instruction manuals for stores
- Liaison with magazines with regards to product placement and editorials
- BTL & ATL Advertising management
- New Store Openings and store closures ( Distribution of elements)
- Promotional campaigns instore (liaising with major brands, ad space)
- Tracked and reported on marketing campaign responses.
- Composed daily posts for social media and helped build corporate presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Boosted brand awareness with target customer demographics with social, print, and email campaigns.
- Created engaging brochures and flyers to use for promotional materials and distribution.
- Managed workflow between staff, coordinating documents and creative material distribution.
- Researched, monitored and analyzed market trends, customer insights and competitors to avail of resources and exercise strategic decisions.
- Created and managed marketing budgets to monitor expenditures, control costs and increase ROI.
- Developed and tracked performance indicators to measure results of marketing campaigns.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to establish successful execution of projects and campaigns.
- Organized logistics for marketing and proposal strategy meetings.
- Established relationships with key stakeholders and media outlets to secure press coverage and increase rapport and trust.
- Developed and executed marketing plans for trade shows and other events to increase brand awareness.
- Managed relationships with external vendors and contractors to acquire mutually benefiting contracts and successful project delivery.
- Planned and executed internal and external marketing events.
- Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
- Coordinated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.
- Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize marketing ROI.
- Executed comprehensive marketing plans that consistently achieved targets for increased revenue.
- Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets.
- Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
- Generated sponsorships with related and partnering entities to enhance marketing objectives.
Marketing Coordinator
Permoseal Pty, Ltd
04.2006 - 06.2008
- Proof-reading packaging , editorials & advertorials
- Gather adverts, advertorials, editorials etc
- File for reference
- Sourcing & procurement of POS and related products
- Process orders in Syspro for marketing department
- Record keeping of stand/POS distribution nationally, allocate to branches
- Prepare & distribute as required, keep appropriate records of hampers & giveaways for seeding
- Manage Press Releases
- Allocate & distribute Point of Sale to regions
- Event management nationally
- Respond to complaints, donation requests and competition prize winners
- Competitor analysis – AC Nielson – report managment
- Skills Development committee (SCD) – Representative for Sales and Marketing departments
- Accomplishments
- Took brand event Hobby X from a 57% Yr
- On yr
- Growth to a 87% growth by 2007, Associate lead of skills committee
- Ruhshanap@gmail.com 0727362221
Regional Administrator Tigerbrands
Panorama, Parker
Cape Town
05.2005 - 03.2006
- Reports for wholesale and retail, Bi-Cycle
- Tracking documents to distribute to Field Managers for action and Feedback
- Reports for head office
- Open new client accounts
- Draw reports and forward correspondence to head office
- Update and distribute Regional performance figures by Region/Field manager/Area marketers
Of Africa Curio
12.2003 - 01.2004
Sales associate
Total Sports
11.1999 - 05.2000
Education
Rylands High: Grade - undefined
Certificate -Business Information Technology - Business Management
Pc Training & Business College
Cape Town 01.1999 - 11.2000
Diploma In Marketing Management - Marketing Management
IMM
Rondebosch 02.2002 - 11.2005
Skills
Advanced English
Advanced Afrikaans
Photoshop – IntermediateDelta, JDE, AS400, IVR, Syspro, SAP – AdvancedYoobic Operations – Comms App – AdvancedYoobic Boost – LMS (Employee Training)Strategic Planning
Project management
Creative photography direction
Event planning
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 3 in the development of Yoobic Learn incentive platform.
- Won number 1 prize for Yoobic best frontline user
Certification
Conflict Management Training - [3 days]
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston S. Churchill
Timeline
Conflict Management Training - [3 days]
03-2022
Visual Merchandise Manager
TFG
04.2021 - Current
Visual Merchandise Manager
TFG
04.2021 - Current
Senior VM Coordinator
Parker
08.2017 - 03.2021
Marketing Coordinator
TFG
07.2008 - 07.2017
Marketing Coordinator
Permoseal Pty, Ltd
04.2006 - 06.2008
Regional Administrator Tigerbrands
Panorama, Parker
05.2005 - 03.2006
Of Africa Curio
12.2003 - 01.2004
Diploma In Marketing Management - Marketing Management
IMM
02.2002 - 11.2005
Sales associate
Total Sports
11.1999 - 05.2000
Certificate -Business Information Technology - Business Management
Pc Training & Business College
01.1999 - 11.2000