Shiseido Retail Design and Merchandising Manager

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead store design projects from concept development and vendor tendering through project management, installation and post-launch follow-up.
• Partner with Marketing and Commercial teams to translate brand guidelines into high-quality retail environments and ensure consistent execution by retailers and distributors; oversee ongoing maintenance, counter updates and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with distributor teams and local vendors to optimize quality, cost and delivery, and manage outsourced design renders when required.
• Maintain an accurate database of counters and retail projects, and recommend upgrades based on brand priorities, regional needs and available budget.
• Lead vendor bidding processes (RFPs/RFQs), evaluate proposals, and negotiate pricing, scope and timelines for store design, merchandising and maintenance projects.
• Oversee maintenance, repair and refurbishment programs for retail fixtures, counters and merchandising elements across Travel Retail Americas.
• Manage NARS POSM topics in close partnership with the Marketing team based in Miami and Paris.
• Forecast requirements and monitor OSS/template deliveries in line with the NARS marketing plan across Travel Retail Americas markets.
• Partner with the NARS and Marketing teams to execute visual merchandising strategies, product launches and promotional activations across the region.
• Coordinate the adaptation, production and implementation of merchandising materials while ensuring compliance with global brand guidelines.
• Prepare, monitor and report CAPEX and OPEX budgets for store design and merchandising activities within Shiseido Group scope, including visibility on distributor-funded elements.
• Negotiate merchandising agreements with Sales Managers, distributors and the Head of VM & Retail Design, TRW.
• Negotiate store design costs, including renders, materials, alternatives, production and installation, while protecting execution quality.
• Provide stakeholders with project status, budget visibility, risks and recommended decisions.
• Ensure timely information sharing across Marketing, Sales, Finance, Operations, distributors and external partners.
• Manage purchase order creation, tracking and reconciliation for design, merchandising, maintenance and capital projects.
• Partner with Finance on budget control, invoice processing, reporting, accruals and financial compliance to support accurate project management.
• Perform other duties as needed to support the organization’s vision, mission and values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in retail design and visual merchandising.
• Experience in cosmetics, beauty or luxury retail is preferred, with the ability to manage multiple brands, markets, projects and budgets simultaneously.
• Professional fluency in English and Spanish is required; French is a plus.
• Strong retail design sensibility, attention to detail, and commercial and marketing awareness.
• Structured, proactive and independent working style, with strong project management, prioritization and follow-through.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to build effective relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Strong design sensibility, commercial awareness and proficiency in SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Excel and PowerPoint.

Skills

Experience

At least 5 years of relevant experience in retail design and visual merchandising.

Education

Bachelor’s degree.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; paid time off; paid volunteer days; paid company holidays; paid parental leave; 401(k) with company match; talent development and learning programs; internal and international mobility; product discounts and annual gratis; employee-led affinity groups; participation in a bonus program with the ability to overachieve.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.