Visual Merchandising Analyst

OVERVIEW Experience professional empowerment. With over 1,200 stores throughout the U.S., designs to expand internationally, and a thriving E-Commerce platform, Ulta Beauty provides its merchandise associates the bandwidth needed to set new trends, identify potential, and take calculated risks. For professionals with an adventurous spirit who thrive in a collaborative context, who are energized by ambiguity and problem-solving, who want to experience the results of their efforts, and who are inspired by the recognition of superior performance—we encourage you to make all of it your own. Discover the possibilities of Ulta Beauty. And experience greater heights of professional success & personal satisfaction. GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE 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 (request, ideation, and strategy build) through completion (creative concepting, production and logistics to end locations). The individual will perform a wide variety of core job responsibilities which include: Project Management Strategic Sourcing & Budget Maintenance Supplier Management Strategic Innovation Communications Relationship Management Inventory Management This Visual Merchandising Analyst role manages the following assigned business categories: Brands and projects as assigned by Visual Manager for Skincare and Bath categories. In addition to the primary owned categories additional projects may be assigned – Visual Merchandising Sustainability research, Sustainability policy and implementation, other special projects & other duties as assigned. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (*Essential Functions) Project Management: Authors Universal Brief for projects requiring fixture development. Collaborates with internal and external cross-functional partners across the organization to scope projects, develop in-store strategy, oversee budget, manage timelines, and monitor progress of projects from conception to in-store execution for several projects at a time at different project phases. Ability to manage ambiguity and develop strategic plans with varying degrees of input, while gaining partners support on approach. Able to pivot and maneuver as plans change while keeping focus on end-to-end milestones. Strategic Sourcing & Budget Maintenance: Responsible for all estimating and invoice management of assigned projects. Ensures projects remain on budget and works closely with Procurement team. Processes all invoices in a timely fashion and before period closing. Resolves any discrepancies between estimate and invoice with suppliers. Shares estimates with merchants & business partners for visibility and forecasting purposes. Ensures contracted rates are adhered to by suppliers. Supplier Management: Communicates project scope, asset turnover, timeline, and budget with supplier. Works with supplier partners to determine design solutions, materials, and fabrication. Works with vendors to troubleshoot live projects when roadblocks occur and resolves issues as they arise. This Analyst role also requires the ability to take flat design concepts and partner with suppliers to develop and present dimensional produced items (product display units or dimensional signs to support seasonal initiatives. Strategic Innovation: Consistently works to bring the Visual Merchandising point of view to the center of discussions, partnering with cross functional teams to make thoughtful recommendations to business partners as the end owner of the store experience for assigned categories. Research industry design trends to inform and develop new fixture and visual initiatives to maximize the in-store displays and experience. Partner with other visual merchandising team members to ensure all visual merchandising documents are consistently updated and managed to ensure consistency and reduce overlap. Communication: Effectively communicates with all internal and external partners. Creates, edits and contributions to development of communication guides including Visual Standards Documents, Display Instruction Sheets and or store communications tasks & news articles for stores. Communicates category strategies and project updates with extended internal team (New/Remodel store team leads) on an ongoing basis. Comfortable with presenting to leadership project strategy & plans, work in progress development as well as completed projects and can condense complex projects in a direct and simple way. Relationship Management: Manages 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. Partners with internal associates to ideate and/or resolve critical issues that may arise. Must analyze root causes then develop strategies and process improvements to mitigate issues and maximize continuous improvement. JOB REQUIREMENTS Undergraduate degree in relevant field (Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Project Management) preferred. Minimum 4-5 years of visual merchandising, POP display design and or fixture design work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Strong written and oral communication skills. Analytical and process management and development skills are necessary for continuous improvement. Self-starter capable of meeting tight deadlines while managing multiple projects. Exceptional handling in negotiations, value analysis and supplier management required. 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 PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS Previous experience in corporate visual merchandising or in-store marketing experience preferred. 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). SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS Work travel may be required to local stores, vendors, or conferences. WORKING CONDITIONS Routinely able to assist in mock store or live store sets or installations: Moving or transporting boxes, fixtures, visuals up to 35 pounds across store environments or between locations. Unpacking visual boxes, or fixture/ product display boxes & keep the mock store clean and organized. Ability to use a rolling ladder to set visuals on shelves, walls, from ceilings or other high locations. ABOUT At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.