Our client, a Retail Pharmacy company, is looking for a Associate Category Designer for their Woonsocket, RI location.
Responsibilities:
Partner with Category Management and other Category Designers to develop merchandising plans and execute the plans across all main and alternate versions of planograms.
Create planogram versions, communications and bulletins.
Creatively merchandise product and identify sales opportunities to maximize sales.
Prepare planogram sections for review process.
Review, proofread, and quality-check all planogram communication materials before distribution.
Ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency in all store-facing directives.
Coordinate and release planogram updates, new item notices, and discontinued item communications.
Capture all images and product dimensions for communications.
Check-in new item samples
Interpret planogram content and translate it into clear, actionable store instructions.
Collaborate with Merchandising, Store Operations, and Marketing to validate content and timelines.
Maintain strong version control and ensure stores receive the correct communication packets.
Utilize Adobe tools to review, annotate, and support updates to communication materials.
Manage multiple overlapping deadlines and prioritize workflow effectively.
Use Microsoft Office (Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) for tracking, reporting, and communication tasks.
Requirements:
3+ years of retail store management or merchandise display experience. Preferred user of Space Management software or similar applications.
Preferred user of In-Design Software Application
Effectively influence and interact with all levels within the organization
Preferred user of Space Management Software or similar Applications
Ability to plan, coordinate and set priorities on several projects simultaneously while meeting all deadlines
Adobe experience is a plus (Acrobat; Illustrator or InDesign is a plus).
Strong oral and written communication skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) and space management software applications.
Ability to quickly learn processes and work efficiently with a short ramp-up period.
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing/Management or other business related area is preferred
5 = Advanced user; Strong use of Microsoft Office. Strong space management software skills, Adobe skills; able to build templates and streamline processes
Quality & Accuracy Mindset (0–5):
0 = Frequently misses details
3 = Catches common errors
5 = Extremely detail-oriented; strong proofreading and version-control discipline
Spotlight Call Notes:
Preferred backgrounds:
Planogram design experience.
Retail merchandising experience.
Former Client managers or assistant managers.
Retail managers from Target, Walmart, grocery, pharmacy, or similar retailers.
Candidates familiar with merchandising software:
GAPS - Many submitted candidates were not aligned to the role, including:
Graphic designers with little merchandising experience.
Finance professionals with unrelated backgrounds.
Candidates actively running their own businesses.
Candidates lacking retail merchandising exposure
Key Competencies Sought:
Merchandising knowledge.
Retail operations experience.
Detail orientation.
Ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Experience with planogram or space-management concepts.
Planogram Experience Requirement:
Direct planogram experience is preferred but not mandatory.
Retail managers with merchandising backgrounds can be trained.