Vice-President, Retail Environments
Employment Type : Full-Time
Who we are?
As a family-owned business since 1978, GSP Companies strives to make retail better. With an unparalleled commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of consumer-facing businesses, we develop solutions that impact our customers' bottom line. Our marketing approach drives traffic, moves product and builds brand equity. Our software improves accuracy, optimizes planning and enables flawless execution of store strategy. Our customers'' success is our only goal and we come to work ready to deliver innovation every day.
Job Summary:
Successful candidates for this role are strategic thinkers and experienced director-level leaders who love the retail space and can take a store design concept across the finish line. This individual comes with a strong business approach and extensive experience in overseeing store remodels, reimages and new builds. The incumbent should be as comfortable speaking with contractors and directors of construction as with brand strategists and retail designers. You should know how to partner with diverse retail clients to bring their ideas to life in store and have the drive to get great results. From small projects to a full-scale rebranding of hundreds of stores, you should be comfortable both leading the design process and in executing the brand vision of our retail customers. Strong presentation skills are a must: You can help clients visualize conceptual work while it's still "on paper." All the while, you are managing a fantastic team of designers, project managers and sourcing staff as well as a vigorous schedule with multiple projects. This candidate will help our clients grow their business by anticipating future trends and creating breakthrough strategies that can be adapted to work in different store footprints across their portfolio.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership:
- Lead design teams in the translation of design concepts into store remodel plans
- Lead project management teams in the execution of store remodeling and reimaging
- Support the contributions of Design, Production, Customer Service and Install teams
- Manage budgets pertaining to time and revenue
- Identify and grow next steps for the company's retail environment strategic initiatives
Customer Relations:
- Present concepts, direct next steps and exceed client expectations
- Interface with multiple clients, understanding their specific brand and strategic vision
- Support the contributions of Design, Production, Customer Service and Install teams
- Feel comfortable scripting and presenting scope of work and other associated documents
Set the standards:
- Hold teams accountable for delivering to the scope of work
- Set expectations for quality, timeline, and schedule, supporting the traffic supervisor
- Attend internal and external production meetings with design, client, construction, store facilities teams
- Ensure all deliverables are met at applicable production cycles within the approved process
- Support and uphold consistency of vocabulary and workflow process
- Celebrate success internally and externally so teams feel appreciated and recognized
Awareness:
- Look for design opportunities in store for future development
- Think proactively for our many clients how each is different yet similar and needs to grow sales
- Support processes to fulfill clients' needs as well as our own
- Stay on top of industry trends
- Maintain brand support
- Build dcor systems that benefit our clients by being "evergreen" and easy to maintain
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in design, marketing, business or related field or equivalent years of experience
- Experience in retail: convenience store, grocery, QSR or fast casual preferred
- 10 years prior experience, with a portion spent strategizing with C-suite level
- 10 years of supervisory experience
- Marketing and/or business experience
- Interior design, architectural knowledge and a sense of construction savvy is a plus
Qualifications, Skills Abilities and Competencies:
- Advanced technical knowledge of construction and installation practices
- Strong knowledge of retail store level design and implementation
- Powerful presentation skills, and the ability to sell creative concepts
- Ability to direct many disciplines, including design, architecture, interior design, and store construction
- Ability to multi-task, managing and prioritizing multiple, simultaneous projects
- Must demonstrate a high taste level within your accomplished portfolio projects
- Inventor of process and strategic thinker
- Strong business acumen and analytical ability
- Strong project management skills and mathematical ability
- Strong managerial and interpersonal skills to inspire, mentor and manage conflict
- Ability to pull multiple parties together to understand and support the vision
- Strong graphic or visual design background
- Well-developed time management and organizational skills, including attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong ability to assess and problem solve situations
- Advanced communication skills with ability to negotiate and develop client relationships
- Self-aware with the ability to create cohesive team relations that embrace and utilize the complementary skills of all team members
- Advanced technology skills including MS Office Suite, and Adobe software
- Ability to read floor plans, elevation drawings, and 3D cad files
- Comfortable with all aspects of the virtual environment
- Appreciation of the omni channel thought process relating to in-store, digital and web application
- Ability to contribute to building a strong and positive team spirit as well as align with GSP values
Travel Demands:
- Travel Required: Ability to travel frequently throughout the United States, approximately 50%. Must possess valid driver's license or ability to obtain before start date.