Job Title: Visual Merchandising Manager – CPD South Africa

Division: Consumer Products Division (CPD) 

Brands: Maybelline New York, NYX Professional Makeup 

Location: Woodmead, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Reports to: Brand Business Leader

1. Job Purpose

As the VM Manager for CPD, your mission is to translate brand identities into compelling consumer experiences at the point of sale. You will be responsible for the strategic planning and operational execution of all visual merchandising across South Africa, ensuring that our brands (L'Oréal Paris, Maybelline, Garnier) dominate the "First Moment of Truth" in-store. You will lead the transformation of the retail environment to drive sell-out, brand equity, and category growth.

2. Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Design

• Brand Translation: Adapt global VM guidelines to the local South African market, ensuring consistency across all retail formats (Mass, Pharmacy, and Boutiques).
• Innovation: Design and develop disruptive permanent and temporary point-of-sale (POS) materials that stop shoppers and increase conversion.
• Omnichannel Integration: Ensure a seamless transition between digital campaigns and physical in-store visibility.

Operational Excellence

• Retailer Partnership: Collaborate closely with key accounts (Clicks, Dis-Chem, Shoprite/Checkers, Pick n Pay) to design bespoke merchandising solutions and planograms.
• Execution Management: Oversee the end-to-end production process, from technical drawings and prototyping to final installation.
• Field Synergy: Work with the sales and field force teams to ensure VM excellence is maintained at the shelf through regular audits and training.

Management & Analytics

• Budget Control: Manage the division’s VM budget, ensuring optimal ROI and cost-efficiency in procurement.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external agencies, printers, and fixture manufacturers, ensuring high-quality output and strict deadline adherence.
• Performance Tracking: Analyze the impact of VM initiatives on sell-out data and adjust strategies based on performance and competitor activity.

3. Professional Competencies

• Creative Visionary: Strong aesthetic sense with the ability to "think like a shopper."
• Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of materials, lighting, and manufacturing processes. Experience with design software (SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, or IWD) is a plus.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
• Stakeholder Influence: Strong negotiation skills to align internal marketing teams and external retail partners.

4. Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Architecture, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in Visual Merchandising or Trade Marketing, preferably within Beauty, FMCG, or Luxury Retail.
• Local Knowledge: Deep understanding of the South African retail landscape and consumer behavior.

Who We Are

L’Oréal is present in 150 markets on five continents. For more than a century, L’Oréal has devoted itself solely to ‘Create beauty that moves the world’; it is now the industry world leader with €42 billion consolidated sales. Together, we solve complex challenges at scale, while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

We’re committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and to advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.