Retail Visual Merchandising Operations Manager

New Balance • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION:
The Retail Visual Merchandising Operations Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence, communication flow, and project management across all Retail Visual Merchandising channels. This role acts as the central connection point between Retail VM channel leads, cross-functional partners, VM Creative Services, and external production vendors.
This manager ensures that priorities, briefs, timelines, and budgets are aligned to channel needs - enabling faster decision‑making, clearer accountability, and more consistent execution across the retail fleet. The role also oversees new store opening and remodel graphics and manages all retail VM–to–store communications via NB Connect.

Requirements

• 5 - 7+ years of experience in visual merchandising operations, retail project management, or store planning.
• Proven project management ability with experience handling multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong vendor management, budget oversight, and PO workflow experience.
• Highly organized with excellent communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional partnering skills.
• Ability to translate creative direction into actionable operational plans.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Adobe Creative Suite and project management platform experience preferred.
• Adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment.
• Ability to travel for new store openings and key retail initiatives.
• Commitment to maintaining a positive work culture, displaying ethics and integrity.
• Collaborative mindset, showcasing adaptability and effective teamwork in a dynamic retail environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with IWD or similar VM planning/assortment tools is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Cross-Channel Retail Visual Merchandising Coordination
• Connect the dots across Retail VM channel leads to align on priorities, timelines, deliverables, distribution needs, and capacity.
• Consolidate and synthesize information to create clear, actionable briefs for VM Creative Services.
• Own the Retail VM operating cadence - ensuring clarity, accountability, and streamlined workflows.
• Manage prioritization, trade‑offs, and reallocations as business needs shift.
• Support accuracy of VM distribution lists after handoff from VM channel leads, including validating vendor output and communicating any changes back to channel leads and stores.
• Project Management & VM Creative Briefing
• Serve as the primary project manager for all Retail VM programs, seasonal rollouts, campaigns, and special projects.
• Build and maintain detailed project timelines, cross‑functional calendars, milestone trackers, and workbacks.
• Coordinate kickoff meetings and guide end‑to‑end project tracking from brief intake through execution.
• Translate creative direction and channel objectives into complete, actionable briefs for VM Creative Services.
• Maintain organized project documentation, archives, trackers, and dashboards for visibility and reporting.
• Contribute to contract drafting in partnership with VM Creative Services leadership.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying efficiencies, documenting learnings, and optimizing processes.
• Vendor Management & Production Planning
• Act as the primary point of contact for all VM production vendors (graphics, fixtures, props, and specialty builds).
• Manage production schedules, proofing, approvals, and logistics—ensuring on-time, in-scope delivery.
• Review and confirm VM channel–generated distribution lists prior to vendor production; communicate changes as needed.
• Monitor vendor performance, escalating risks proactively and identifying opportunities for efficiency or cost optimization.
• Maintain accurate visual merchandising vendor master documents and order tracking tools.
• Retail Store Communication & Support (NB Connect)
• Support all Retail VM communication through NB Connect—including toolkits, floor-set guides, installation instructions, updates, and visual alerts.
• Monitor, triage, and resolve incoming store requests in partnership with VM channel leads.
• Track and manage fixture and graphic needs across the fleet; support replenishment and operational troubleshooting.
• Maintain the visual database, IWD fixtures, floor plans, and seasonal assortments to ensure store teams have accurate, up-to-date information.
• New Store Opening & Remodel Visual Execution
• Manage all graphic production, ordering, installation planning, and vendor coordination for new stores and remodels.
• Maintain accurate fixture plans, graphic guidelines, and spatial standards in partnership with Retail Development.
• Ensure high-quality execution and timely delivery, enabling stores to open with a premium, brand-right visual experience.
• Budgeting, Purchasing & Resource Management
• Support Retail VM budget management—including tracking, forecasting, invoice flow, and PO creation/approval.
• Own the accuracy and timeliness of all VM POs and related documentation in partnership with Finance and AP.
• Track cost allocation, monitor spend against budget, and support rebalancing efforts across projects.
• Increase transparency into resource needs, risks, and investment opportunities.
• Team Leadership
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented team culture grounded in accountability, clarity, and operational excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement through process refinement, documentation, and shared best practices.

Benefits

• Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly.
• New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K.
• We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally.
• You’ll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword – it’s part of our culture.
• Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.
• Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed