Regional Visual Trainer

YM Inc. was founded on the strength of a single retail store in the heart of downtown Toronto in 1975, under the name Stitches. Today we are one of North America’s leading apparel retailers operating over 800 stores across Canada and the United States under the following banners: Stitches, Urban Planet, Urban Behavior, Sirens, Forever 21, Urban Kids, Suzy Shier, Bluenotes, West 49, Amnesia, Charlotte Russe, Rue 21 and Mandee.

Our goal is to sustain performance that exceeds expectations. We are committed to creating a culture where people feel valued and inspired to achieve results. We give our people the appropriate tools, freedom and authority to make decisions. They are accountable for their actions and we recognize their efforts and reward their results. We attract and nurture the best people by providing leadership opportunities, career development and continuous learning. We are committed to leading by example and with integrity. We treat people with respect and dignity, promote the benefits of diversity and address challenges in a direct and compassionate manner. We engage people in our goals and objectives; we listen and act on new ideas where possible. That is our Philosophy.

**Position: Regional Visual Trainer**

**Position Overview**:
The Regional Visual Trainer is responsible for maximizing sales productivity by implementing effective visual presentation strategies and directives within their respective region. This role builds business by ensuring all stores execute excellent visual merchandising presentations and by working with Store Managers and District Managers to improve stores and to ensure all standards are met.

**Essential Job Functions**
- **Administration**:

- Conduct weekly visual audits across the company
- Complete daily reports with pictures of before and after.
- Communicate on a weekly basis with Regional/District Managers and have an action plan on the progress of the the stores
- Complete weekly schedule and break down store visits based on priority and needs
- Analyze merchandising strategies and how it differs from others and setup a progress plan to elevate to Company standards
- Review the competition, product movement and store reports
- Give feedback on all visual merchandising communication, evaluating accuracy and ease/challenges of execution
- Contribute ideas to enhance visual presentation directives

**Training, Coaching and Development**:

- Train and develop associates, District Managers and Store Managers in visual merchandising skills through store visits, one-on-one training and workshops
- Conduct quarterly workshops with each District Manager and their managers to ensure clear execution of seasonal launches
- Execute visual direction in the home store to train and set an example of excellent visual presentation.
- Maintain a solid understanding of fashion colours, trends and designs
- Adhere to corporate health and safety policy requirements that contribute to a safe work place

**Customer Service Excellence**:

- Coordinate all visual presentation activities.
- Execute weekly visual presentation strategies to drive sales
- Enforce and maintain a neat, clean and organized (NCO) store
- Ensure store personnel processes the replenishment of merchandise and the placement of back-stocked merchandise on the sales floor
- Ensure all marketing (promotional set ups/signage) is implemented effectively
- Take visual direction and work closely to ensure visual direction is in line with Company standards
- Ensure excellent visual merchandising and standards in a specific region through partnership with the District Managers and Regional Manager(s) and district visual manager.
- Communicate new arrivals placement, not addressed in weekly directive to all stores within the region

**Customer Service Excellence**:

- Prioritize high volume and “focus” stores in store visits and walkthroughs
- Analyze and study all current tools and fixtures store by store and assess needs and repairs required to maintain a healthy and good image working environment at all times
- Attends all corporate floor setups, each year to understand priorities for season and contribute new visual merchandising concepts
- Review new merchandise arrivals and execute effective merchandise placement
- Support business growth through effective new store openings
- Direct all new store openings.

**Time Management**:

- Effectively utilize time management skills to get the job done promptly and efficiently while meeting Company objectives, within set timelines

**Sales and Wage Cost**:

- Support store sales by analyzing sales information (P.O.B, top sellers, wish list, hook items etc.)

**Loss Prevention**:

- Adhere to Loss Prevention policies and practices in order to reduce internal and external losses
- Adhere to administration policies and procedures

**Minimum Requirements**
- Post-secondary education in fashion arts or a fashion related field
- 3+ years’ of retail management or visual merchandis