Burnside Visual Merchandising Manager

Powell''''s Books is seeking to hire a Visual Merchandising Manager at our City of Books location in Downtown Portland.

This position is one of two Visual Merchandising Managers at the Burnside store, one with a focus on books, and this position, which will focus on gifts, the non-book items carried in the store.

This position oversees and manages all non-book product sections and displays in the Burnside store, coordinating the daily needs of the gift business, planning and strategizing merchandising projects to help drive sales and customer engagement. They act as part of the Manager on Duty team supporting store operations, and supervise a team of employees in the store. They will approach merchandising strategies proactively, and engage in continuous improvement methods, adapting to meet the needs of the business.

Powell's Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community. We're committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect - a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day.

All regular full-time employees enjoy benefits including:

Generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental)

401(k) savings plan

Education benefit

Childcare subsidy

Substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings

Book borrowing privileges

Pay: $23.08 per hour, or more, depending on experience.

Schedule: The regular schedule is to be determined, but will include weekends, and have opening shifts starting as early as 6am.

Closing Date: Sunday, September 6th, 2026

Additional Information: Please include a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you're interested in the position.

Position Title: Burnside Visual Merchandising Manager

Location: Burnside

Group: X5-B

Date: 8/2026

Position Summary:

The Burnside Visual Merchandising Manager (BVMM) leads the execution of Powell's merchandising strategies in the flagship City of Books location and has a Book or Gift focus. They manage floor sets, specialty displays, in-store signage, and other visual merchandising elements, while also providing data-driven insights to inform merchandising decisions. The BVMM models and upholds a customer-first mentality, ensuring that merchandising execution enhances the shopping experience and drives business objectives. The BVMM is responsible for supervising the Visual Merchandising Specialist (VMS) team (Books or Gifts), ensuring alignment with Powell's corporate merchandising strategies and maintaining operational excellence. This role also partners closely with store leadership, buying teams, marketing, and merchandising leadership to implement seasonal campaigns and cross-merchandising initiatives. The BVMM spends time on the retail floor as a Manager on Duty and supports overall store operations. Reports to the Store Manager, Sales.

Essential Functions:

• Manages, coaches, and mentors the VMS team, providing training, support, and in-the-moment feedback to drive excellence in execution.
• Oversees day-to-day VMS workflow, assigning projects and setting priorities according to the needs of the business.
• Ensures that all floor and visual displays are implemented effectively, aligning with corporate standards and seasonal initiatives.
• Collaborates with store management and leadership to direct workflow and adjust priorities based on store needs and customer engagement. Updates daily schedule as needed.
• Works closely with the Store Manager, Sales and Marketing Department on project-specific calendars, signage, promotions, and projects, ensuring timely execution and implementation.
• Oversees photography of work done by VMS team to capture all FOS and new display sets, archiving images to document merchandising strategies and execution.
• Ensures the customer-first mindset is embedded in all merchandising initiatives, optimizing displays to enhance the shopping experience.
• Partners with Store Manager, Sales and Buying Teams to provide feedback on display effectiveness, ensuring that merchandising efforts support sales and inventory flow.
• Monitors sales performance related to merchandising efforts, analyzing data and sharing insights with key stakeholders to refine strategies.
• Acts as a liaison between the VMS team and corporate leadership, ensuring smooth execution of company-wide initiatives.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements and recommends solutions to enhance merchandising efficiency and execution.
• Demonstrates leadership in implementing new systems and procedures to elevate merchandising execution and store presentation. Instructs and directs employees in contributing to display work.
• Supports and demonstrates a culture of passionate bookselling including active engagement with customers, handselling, merchandising, and making recommendations via staff picks, shelf talkers, etc.
• Holds staff accountable to Powell's Customer Service and Merchandising Guidelines.
• Leads, trains, and mentors teams. Effectively prioritizes multiple projects and seasonal transitions.
• Initiates and follows through with in-the-moment and problem-solving conversations, performance management and progressive discipline as needed.  Conducts performance evaluations.
• Performs Manager on Duty functions including, but not limited to, supervision of all sales floor activity; resolution of the full spectrum of customer service calls; coordinates coverage; represents the company to customers, vendors, and media; opens and closes the building; takes responsibility in emergencies; responds to safety and security issues and facilities problems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• 3+ years demonstrated experience in visual merchandising and/or display coordination preferred.
• Experience supervising, leading, and training employees (retail management and/or bookstore management preferred) or demonstrated leadership skills at Powell's.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make important decisions independently.
• Proficiency in retail operations, inventory management, and merchandising software/tools.
• Strong analytical and proactive problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret sales data and merchandising performance metrics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated conflict management and resolution skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork, team building, and interpersonal skills.
• Superior initiative, follow-through, and accountability, ensuring high standards in execution.
• Absolute ability to maintain confidential information.
• Love of books and reading.
• Physical Requirements - V.