Visual Manager Resume Guide
Visual Managers are responsible for creating and executing visual merchandising strategies to promote a brand. They create window displays, arrange product layouts, select appropriate props and merchandise items in order to draw customers’ attention and maximize sales. Additionally, they ensure that the store is visually appealing by keeping it clean, organized and well-stocked.
You have a knack for creating eye-catching displays that draw customers in. Although businesses may not know about your talents, you can make them aware of your abilities by writing a standout resume.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Visual Manager Resume Sample
Lawrence Morar
Visual Manager
[email protected]
382-201-0955
linkedin.com/in/lawrence-morar
Summary
Determined visual manager with 5+ years of experience in visual merchandising, driving sales growth and developing display strategies. At XYZ, developed a successful system for tracking inventory that enabled accurate restocking of shelves. Created innovative window displays resulting in 15% increase in foot traffic to the store. Successfully managed team projects from conception to completion while meeting tight deadlines and budget requirements.
Experience
Visual Manager, Employer A
Bayamon, Jan 2018 – Present
- Presented creative visual designs to corporate executives and store managers, achieving an average approval rating of 98% over 12 months.
- Spearheaded a team of 8 Visual Merchandisers in creating attractive window displays for 4 retail locations, driving total sales by $15K per month on average.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to ensure that all product visuals were consistent across the company’s website, catalogs and social media platforms; increased online traffic from customers by 25%.
- Diligently monitored inventory levels at each location and re-ordered stock as needed to maximize customer selection without compromising shelf space or display area; reduced shrinkage rate by 20% over 6 months.
- Directed daily staff meetings with Visual Merchandising department employees to review goals, objectives & expectations during peak shopping seasons; improved performance metrics within the team by 28%.
Visual Manager, Employer B
Huntsville, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Analyzed and evaluated the visual merchandising of over 30 stores, implementing cost-effective strategies that increased sales by 10% year-on-year.
- Compiled weekly reports on store performance and devised creative solutions to improve product displays, resulting in a 15% increase in customer traffic.
- Developed attractive window displays for seasonal collections while adhering to brand guidelines; reduced display setup time from 3 hours to 1 hour per store location.
- Reliably managed inventory levels across all locations and ensured staffing needs were met during peak shopping periods; decreased stock shrinkage by 7%.
- Designed unique in-store advertising campaigns which boosted consumer engagement and drove an additional $30K+ revenue each month for the company’s online shopfront.
Skills
- Visual Merchandising
- Merchandising
- Fashion
- Styling
- Apparel
- Retail Sales
- Store Management
- Window Displays
- Time Management
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Visual Manager
International Visual Management Institute
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary for a visual manager should be concise and to the point. It should provide an overview of your experience in visual merchandising, such as how many years you have been working in this field, any awards or recognition you have received, and what sets you apart from other candidates. You can also mention key skills that make you stand out – like being able to create eye-catching displays with limited resources or having excellent customer service abilities – so employers know why they should consider hiring you over someone else.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Hard-working visual manager with 5+ years of experience in designing and implementing creative visual displays for retail stores. Seeking to bring innovation and creativity to XYZ Retail’s store design process. At ABC, successfully designed over 100 merchandising displays that resulted in a 25% increase in sales compared to the previous year. Skilled at utilizing Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp 3D modelling software, and other graphic design tools.
Proficient visual manager with 10+ years of experience in the retail industry. Proven track record of increasing sales by up to 20% through effective visual merchandising, product placement, and store layout strategies. Successfully managed a team of 12-15 employees and developed innovative marketing campaigns for various products. Expertise in creating visually appealing displays that capture customer attention while driving sales growth.
Dependable visual manager with over 10 years of experience in retail and hospitality. Proven record of success in developing visually appealing displays that create customer engagement, resulting in increased sales for XYZ store by 15%. Skilled at leading a team to execute new ideas quickly and efficiently. Highly knowledgeable about current trends, color palettes, fixtures, textures etc., to ensure an attractive shopping environment.
Driven visual manager with 5+ years of success in creating and executing innovative store layouts, merchandise displays, signage, and promotional materials for retail stores. Seeking to join ABC as a Visual Manager where I can use my creative flair to increase brand awareness and customer engagement. At XYZ Store increased sales by 35% through effective merchandising techniques that boosted the visibility of key products.
Skilled visual manager with 8+ years of experience leading and developing retail visual merchandising teams. Proven ability to drive sales growth by creating innovative displays that capture customers’ attention and inspire them to purchase. Seeking an opportunity at ABC Retail Store, where I can bring my creative vision and leadership skills to create visually appealing store layouts for maximum customer engagement.
Passionate visual manager with 5+ years of experience in retail and hospitality. At XYZ, managed a team of 10 visual merchandisers to create eye-catching displays that increased sales by 15%. Experienced in creating store layouts, designing window displays and ensuring safety standards are met at all times. Skilled communicator who is able to effectively collaborate with staff members for successful results.
Well-rounded visual manager with extensive experience creating and implementing innovative display strategies to maximize profits. Proven track record of success in developing eye-catching displays that increase customer engagement, leading to increased sales by an average of 20%. Seeking a position at ABC Store where I can apply my skills in the development and execution of impactful window designs.
Accomplished visual manager with 10+ years of experience transforming customer experiences and driving sales. Proven track record of creating visually engaging displays and merchandising solutions that generated an average increase in revenue by 20%. Seeking to join ABC Fashion as the Visual Manager where I can leverage my creative vision, leadership skills, and understanding of fashion trends.
2. Experience / Employment
For the experience section, you should list your employment history in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job is listed first.
For this section, it’s best to stick primarily with bullet points. Doing so allows the reader to quickly take in what you have written and get a better understanding of your experience. When writing each point, make sure to include details on what you did and any results achieved from those actions.
For example, instead of saying “Managed store visuals,” you could say: “Developed visual merchandising plans for three stores within my district; increased sales by 15% year-over-year through effective implementation.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Directed
- Managed
- Coordinated
- Supervised
- Monitored
- Developed
- Implemented
- Analyzed
- Evaluated
- Assessed
- Designed
- Created
- Presented
- Collaborated
- Executed
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Supervised a team of 8 visual merchandisers and store associates, ensuring that the organization’s standards for product display were met in over 20 stores across 4 states; achieved a 15% increase in sales within 3 months.
- Expedited window displays and interior fixtures to maximize daily visual impact on customers; optimized floor plans by rearranging merchandise every 2 weeks which resulted in an $8,000/month boost in revenue.
- Achieved 95% customer satisfaction rating through quality control checks on all aspects of product presentation such as lighting, signage & accessories placement; reduced returns rate by 22%.
- Optimized inventory management operations to ensure timely delivery of new collections while reducing back-stock levels at each location by 10%; saved the company $15K annually through efficient stock rotation practices.
- Meticulously maintained aesthetic consistency throughout all outlets via frequent visits to check displays for any discrepancies or violations against corporate guidelines and brand identity regulations up to 500 times per year.
- Accurately reorganized and managed the visual elements of 50+ retail store locations, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
- Created visually engaging displays for window showcases, attracting over 500 additional customers each month and increasing sales by $7000 within the first quarter.
- Mentored 10 new team members on proper set-up techniques while ensuring accuracy with product placement; successfully trained staff to reduce setup time by 30%.
- Represented company at various industry events and tradeshows, showcasing products through creative visuals that strengthened brand awareness among potential clients.
- Developed innovative marketing campaigns using different visual mediums such as photography, videography & graphic design; increased web traffic by 20% after implementation of strategies across all social media platforms.
- Participated in the design and execution of visual displays, including window installations, product launches and seasonal changes; achieved a 25% increase in customer traffic within three months.
- Introduced creative merchandising strategies to optimize store layouts while increasing sales volume by $6,000 per month.
- Prepared daily floor plans for all departments with attention to detail; improved layout efficiency by 30%.
- Resourcefully utilized existing resources such as props and mannequins when creating new visuals that appealed to target customers; increased overall profit margin by 8%.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams (marketing/PR) on campaigns which resulted in an average 20% rise in weekly sales over nine consecutive months.
- Executed visual merchandising strategies for up to 25 store locations, increasing sales by 20% and decreasing inventory levels by 15%.
- Implemented creative window displays that effectively showcased product features; increased foot traffic into stores by 10%.
- Monitored team performance on the shop floor and provided regular feedback to ensure visual standards were maintained at all times.
- Structured training sessions for over 100 new recruits in retail operations and visual display techniques; reduced staff turnover rate from 35% to 13%.
- Proficiently used design software such as Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator to generate ideas for seasonal campaigns, resulting in a 5-point increase in customer satisfaction ratings across all stores.
- Facilitated visual merchandising strategies for six store locations, resulting in a 10% increase in overall sales.
- Streamlined the design process of monthly window and interior displays; reduced setup time by 20%.
- Actively collaborated with marketing teams to ensure that all materials used were consistent with branding guidelines.
- Revised existing display plans based on customer feedback and preferences, increasing consumer satisfaction ratings by 7 points within 6 months of implementation.
- Utilized Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator programs to create digital mockups for upcoming designs; completed projects two weeks ahead of schedule consistently.
- Successfully managed the visual presentation of merchandise for a large department store, overseeing 18+ employees and ensuring compliance with corporate standards.
- Assessed current store displays to identify areas that needed improvement; reorganized 25 racks of clothing items which resulted in a 5% increase in sales within one month.
- Evaluated team members’ performance on an ongoing basis to ensure they delivered quality results while adhering to company policies; trained staff on new guidelines and processes, resulting in improved customer satisfaction rating by 10%.
- Demonstrated strong organizational skills when creating floor plans & window displays that reflected seasonal trends and promotions, generating $50K+ worth of additional revenue over three months period.
- Improved overall layout effectiveness through innovative merchandising techniques such as color blocking, establishing eye-catching vignettes or optimizing product placement around the store – all within tight deadlines (less than 2 hours).
- Advised and led a team of 10 visual associates in executing all visual merchandising strategies; increased store sales by 25% within 3 months.
- Managed the design, execution and maintenance of window displays, ensuring that merchandise was placed strategically to maximize impact on customers; reduced setup time by up to 50%.
- Thoroughly reviewed existing floor plans and created innovative designs to optimize space utilization while maintaining brand image standards across 16 stores.
- Reduced overhead costs associated with inventory management by 15%, utilizing data analysis tools such as Excel spreadsheets & POS reports for forecasting trends & demand patterns accurately.
- Formulated effective training programs for new hires on proper product placement techniques, customer service etiquette and other essential skills necessary for success in the retail industry.
3. Skills
Two organizations that have advertised for a position with the same title may be searching for individuals whose skills are quite different. For instance, one may be looking for someone who is experienced in creating visual displays and another might want a more creative individual with an eye for detail.
It’s essential to tailor the skills section of your resume according to each job you are applying for so that it stands out from other applicants’ resumes. This will help ensure that applicant tracking systems (which scan resumes based on keywords) can pick up on all relevant qualifications you possess as well as any experience related to the position.
In addition, don’t forget to further elaborate on these skills by discussing them in greater depth within other sections such as summary or work history.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Apparel
- Communication
- Customer Experience
- Customer Satisfaction
- Employee Training
- Fashion
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Shows
- Graphic Design
- Hiring
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- Interior Design
- Inventory Control
- Loss Prevention
- Luxury Goods
- Mannequin Styling
- Merchandise Planning
- Merchandising
- New Store Openings
- POS
- Photography
- Planograms
- Recruiting
- Retail Sales
- Social Networking
- Store Management
- Store Operations
- Styling
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Textiles
- Time Management
- Trend
- Trend Analysis
- Trend Forecasting
- Visual Merchandising
- Visual Styling
- Window Displays
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and don’t have much work experience, it’s a good idea to mention your education below the objective statement. However, if you have many years of visual management experience that speaks for itself, omitting an education section is perfectly acceptable.
If an education section is included, try mentioning any courses or subjects relevant to the visual manager role such as graphic design or art history classes.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a particular field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to gain knowledge of an area, as well as prove your dedication to staying up-to-date with industry trends.
When listing certifications on your resume, make sure they are relevant to the job you’re applying for and include any specializations or courses related to it. Doing so will help give hiring managers confidence in your abilities when considering you for the position.
Certified Visual Manager
International Visual Management Institute
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Lawrence Morar, this would be Lawrence-Morar-resume.pdf or Lawrence-Morar-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
A cover letter is an important document that helps you demonstrate who you are and why your qualifications make you the perfect candidate for the job. It should be comprised of 2 to 4 paragraphs, separate from your resume, and provide additional information about yourself in a creative way.
Cover letters aren’t always necessary when applying for jobs but they can help set you apart from other applicants by giving recruiters a better understanding of who you are as a professional. Writing one is highly recommended if there’s an opportunity to do so!
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Herman,
As a highly creative and experienced visual manager, I am excited to apply for the open position at your company. In my previous role as a visual merchandiser at [company name], I was responsible for creating window displays, in-store displays, and mannequin styling that increased sales by 15%. My natural eye for aesthetics combined with my experience in fashion trends and color palette selection makes me confident that I can create visually appealing displays that will capture the attention of your customers and increase sales.
I understand the importance of working within a budget, and I have successfully created stunning displays using both high-end and low-cost items. My ability to mix different textures, patterns, and materials helps me create unique looks that are both stylish and cost effective. In addition to being an expert in display creation, I also have experience training other employees on how to style merchandise according to current trends. This skill will come in handy when training new hires or teaching existing employees about upcoming changes in store policy or procedure.
I would love the opportunity to bring my creative flair and extensive knowledge of visual merchandising to your team. Please find attached a copy of my resume detailing my experience in this field. I can be reached anytime via phone or email, and I look forward to speaking with you soon about this exciting opportunity.
Sincerely,
Lawrence