Visual Merchandising, Graphic & Spatial Designer

Job Description

Job Description:

Visual Merchandising, Graphic & Spatial Designer:

Newark, NJ

We are looking for a detail-oriented designer who will bring brand stories to life through elevated, thoughtful design in physical space. This hire will lead the development of environmental graphics, signage and wayfinding, and large-scale instore campaigns, while also creating new brand identities for seasonal activations, core collections, visual merchandising props, point of sale sign systems, brand communications and packaging.

This individual will craft graphic identities that make our activations feel distinct and memorable. We're looking for a bold & creative thinker with an eye for cultural trends, aesthetics and design inspiration. The designer will collaborate closely with the VM team and cross functional partners and the production vendor community.

The Designer is responsible for creating visual concepts that suit business objectives and captivate the customer while creating a consistent brand representation across all materials. Along with generating best in class creative work, the designer will need to be extremely organized and responsible for digital asset management, archiving and file sharing internally and externally.

What are we looking for?

• Required: degree in graphic design, visual merchandising, industrial design, or related field or equivalent creative experience.

• Minimum 3-5 years graphic design and spatial design experience in a high paced retail environment and corporate experience developing creative work for a multi store retail fleet required.

• Advanced understanding of typography, graphic and spatial composition, color and brand storytelling, copywriting skillset is a plus.

• Adaptive design eye and skill.

• Passionate and skilled designing for physical space, with an understanding of scale and application iteration.

• Demonstrate illustrative skills and ideation with rough sketches (digital or physical) and provide inspiration.

• Experience designing complex visual merchandising displays, graphics, 2D/3D visual components and windows specifically for the retail environment as well as guide event marketing set design.

• Strong knowledge of prop material specs and function within a retail environment.

• Master skills in, Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop is required.

• Advanced skills in Google SketchUp or similar 3D modelling software application is required.

• Experience working with photography.

• Able to work independently and manage projects within scope and timeline.

• Strong attention to detail when finalizing designs and setting up files.

• Strong time management and ability to multitask projects with flexibility.

• Understanding of basic merchandising principles for apparel & hardlines.

• Experience with package design and food labels.

• Portfolio of previous work required.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Collaborate on development of creative visual assets and spatial design, including fixtures, and determine various iterations that exemplify the best brand expression.

• Translate brand guidelines into spatial applications that elevate and expand on core assets while maintaining connective design threads.

• Fearless in proposing fresh ideas, creating new concepts and building upon current design materials while adhering to the M&M’S brand standards.

• Develop consistent visual look and feel & tone of voice across all campaign materials with a high taste level.

• Plan & drive the creative development workload forward against retail activation calendar, adhering to benchmarks and priorities.

• Maintain consistent project organization and timelines while managing multiple deliverables.

• Work closely with production partners, especially regarding pre-production to ensure accurate execution.

• Proofread to produce accurate and high-quality work.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align visual merchandising, store design, digital and marketing collateral.

• Lead creative development of visual communications & storytelling assets for seasonal activation, new products and core graphic programs that make our stores come to life!

• Review activation briefs, floor layouts, fixture plans, for featured merchandising strategies to understand how assets live in the physical space.

• Knowledgeable about cultural, global fashion, hospitality, design and visual merchandising trends & experience interpreting to an iconic brand.

• Collaborate with VM Head to refine concept work across all creative elements, including but not limited to graphic design, art direction, photo direction and third-party creative collaborations.

• Collaborate with VM Leads on design iteration and creation of 3D direction.

• Working files to be configured expertly and highly organized for production partners and shared timely.

• Able to incorporate feedback into design work and provide regular, qualitative feedback and options.

• Experience in project management of complex initiatives, sign hierarchies and launches, with critical deadlines in high pressure environments

• Ability to effectively communicate with business partners at all levels.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all locations listed within the job posting:USD 76,917.00 - USD 105,763.00