Vp Of New Store Design & Development

Job Title: VP of New Store Design & Development

Employer: EMS - Eastern Mountain Sports & Bob’s Stores

Classification: Full-Time, exempt

Location: Meriden, CT

Reports to: Executive Vice President, Operations

Company Overview:

EMS

We believe success comes down to people. Since 1967, Eastern Mountain Sports has been helping people of all ages and abilities to have more fun outside. As a trusted source of top-quality outdoor gear, apparel and advice, we operate over 20 locations in twelve northeastern states, working with top active brands such as Timberland, The North Face, Columbia, Carhartt, Marmot, ON, Sorel and many more!

At Eastern Mountain Sports, we take a lot of pride in hiring people who have a genuine passion for the outdoors and the desire to inspire happiness by connecting people to nature and each other. If you've got passion for the outdoors and a commitment to the environment, an obsession for properly outfitting our customers, and a high degree of personal integrity, EMS may be the place for you.

Bob’s

We consider every Associate central to the success of the Company and an ambassador of the Bob’s Brand. Since 1954, Bob’s has been your local Family Footwear and Apparel Store offering competitive pricing, brands that you love with the service that you expect. We have over 20 locations in eight New England states offering a great assortment of Team, Active and Footwear for the family featuring such brands as UA, Champion, Adidas, Carhartt, Levi, and more!

Whether you work in our stores, our Distribution center or Home Office, you will have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people around you by inspiring happiness and enriching our communities through quality affordable products and shared values.

About the role:

In this role, you will play a critical part in driving the success of our business through impactful New Store Design and Presentation strategies. Your ability to translate business objectives by adhering to deadlines, budgets, optimizing processes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams will be key to achieving our sales and brand objectives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Drive sales growth through impactful strategies that align with business and customer needs

• Improve and optimize design & visual processes to enhance efficiency and innovation

• Lead and guide Visual Merchandise Team in a hands on manner to foster collaboration and high performance

• Create and implement design & merchandise strategies for new store openings, ensuring seamless execution

• Strategically plan and execute floor sets and signage across stores, maintaining visual consistency and brand standards

• Manage Design & Visual projects, timelines and budgets to ensure efficient resource allocation and financial targets

• Collaborate with internal teams to incorporate their business requests and objectives into visual plans

• Communicate design decisions and strategies effectively to senior leadership for alignment and support

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 70% as required

• Strongly encouraged to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant work

• 3-5 years of experience leading new store opening design and development process

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD & Sketchup or similar 3d rendering software

• Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail

• Exceptional communication skills, capable of effectively engaging with individuals at all levels of the organization

• Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically, taking a proactive approach to problem-solving

• Creative problem-solving skills, consistently generating innovative solutions

• Physical ability to lift and carry objects weighing at least 30 lbs.

• Comfortable and proficient in climbing ladders to perform visual merchandising tasks

Values:

1. Personal Improvement & Wellbeing: We are committed to doing the work to become the best versions of ourselves physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually in order to explore the world, build community, and curate living in a healthy state of joy, love and inspiration.

2. Empowered Thinking: We agree to do the work to metabolize our irrational fears so we can make rational decisions to achieve the outcomes we are looking for. This means we will be bold and courageous in failing forward, and we accept risk within well-managed parameters. The faster we hypothesize, test, validate or iterate, the sooner we succeed. There shall be no fear of rejection for speaking up; good ideas can come from anywhere; everyone has a voice; negative behaviors must be surfaced.

3. Integrity & Fairness: We seek a meritocracy where equity, inclusion, belonging, authenticity, honesty and integrity are paramount.

4. Service: We seek to deliver vastly more value than we cost and to make the world a happier place every day.

Company Benefits:

At EMS & Bob’s Stores, we offer an industry leading benefits package that includes a variety of benefits including paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, tax deferred retirement plans, and access to experts in preventative care. We also offer fun perks such as access to online yoga classes through YogaWorks, Access Perks discount shopping, dining and travel network, and GoDigital University, our internal training program that is hosted by industry leaders in entertainment, music and more. We also offer Vendor Training opportunities that provide generous discounts through their online sites.

Additional Information:

EMS & Bob’s Stores are committed to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of our community. We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race (or traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision-making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, veteran or military status.