Visual Merchandising Associate Manager… at New Balance · Boston

VISUAL MERCHANDISING ASSOCIATE MANAGER WHOLESALE (12-MONTH CONTRACT) Location: Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB) Who We Are:  Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today. JOB MISSION: The Associate Manager of Wholesale Visual Merchandising for North America supports the team in enhancing visual merchandising activities tailored to boost the North America wholesale business. This role, reporting to the Senior Manager of Wholesale Visual Merchandising, involves collaborating with cross-functional partners (internally and externally) to support the execution of the visual merchandising strategic direction and provide sell-in and sell-thru guidelines for various accounts and door clusters. This is a temporary 12-month contract position. The individual in this role will work a hybrid schedule, with three days a week on-site at our headquarters in Brighton, MA (Tuesday through Thursday) and two days per week remotely. MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:  Visual Merchandising • Work with the Creative Visual Merchandising and Operations team to support the execution of all New Balance-related visual experience concepts, spaces, and properties in assigned wholesale accounts.   • Brief all creative needs to the Creative and Operations team.   • Develop and manage maintenance and refresh schedules for all graphics, shop-in-shop, and visual experience elements needed within assigned wholesale accounts. • Collaborate with 3rd Party VM support, assign job missions for significant rollouts, and report recaps to the broader team on specific market visits.   • Support Senior Manager of Visual Merchandising Wholesale with any ad hoc projects such as Showroom setup during account meetings, presentation decks, events.     Brand • Act as a brand ambassador by supporting the execution of brand wholesale experience strategies across assigned North American wholesale accounts.   • Maintain focus on the consumer target, competition, and current trends relevant to the New Balance brand.   • Possess a clear understanding of NB Brand guidelines and their adaptation for consumer-facing channels.    Business • Leverage data, sell-thru results, and key investments to inform presentation strategies.   • Use visual merchandising software (e.g., IWD) to inform all future visual merchandising decisions through heatmapping and SKU productivity reporting for our NB SIS.    REQUIREMENTS  • +3 years of relevant work experience in a visual merchandising environment, preferably within the Wholesale environment, with 1-3 years at the regional corporate level. • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in fashion design, visual merchandising, or retail marketing/management. • Proficiency with PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) • Ability to visualize and articulate concepts for 3-D environments using VM software programs for floor set creation (e.g., IWD). • Excellent taste level in merchandising, styling, fixture design, store layout, and directives • Strong independent working capability, fostering trust, collaboration, and teamwork, and consistently displaying a strong sense of ethics and integrity. • Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work as part of a team in a dynamic environment. • Extensive knowledge of fashion, design, and visual merchandising trends. • May involve lifting 45+ lbs and climbing ladder for installations. • Ability to travel for supervising projects (overnight or weekends may be required). Regular Associate Benefits  Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You’ll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword – it’s part of our culture. Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount. Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount. Flexible Work Schedule For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced “Work from Anywhere” (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility. Equal Opportunity Employer New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.