Brief Role Description

This position is a career level 20P with a role classification of Fully Remote.

• Design and provide strategic direction to AoA senior leadership on development of corporate merchandising strategy and standards; and their impact on (or reaction to) future business models, customer experience demands and next-generation industry buying trends. Strategies should incorporate all aspects of dealer flexibility, fixture costs (CapEx) and ability to maintain merchandise guidelines across a large dealer network in consultation with AUDI AG, Network Development team, and executives.
• Develop and oversee the daily management of the Audi Retail Merchandise program, under and support the Audi retail experience strategy.  Influenced by leading-edge design and industry trends to align long-term brand-positioning, product pipeline, cost reduction (initial capital investment and operational costs) and Network Development Key Performance Indicators with future dealership investment projects for the ~306 dealers in the Audi network
• Define and oversee ad-hoc special projects and dealer-level project work of AoA’s Retail Innovation & Design team.  In addition to merchandising, architecture and project management vendors.
• Support the holistic AoA retail experience strategy focused on leading the transformation of legacy merchandising retail concepts into one of customer a centric results driven flexible business model.
• Strategic Planning: collaborating with outside vendors, Audi after sales, Network, and marketing to fit key objectives
• Store Design & Layout: be influential in dealership retail design, including space layout (fixtures, plants, customer waiting, hospitality zones), customer flow, and effective in-store branded environments
• Visual Storytelling:  Effectively use physical (visual) elements to convey Audi brand DNA, moods and be able to tell brand stories
• Sensory Engagement:  Stimulate customers on a sensory level, creating memorable shopping experiences
• Brand Communication: Translate brand identity and themes into effective visual displays
• Leverage vendors and internal teams to integrate a cohesive e-commerce model
• Provide direction to AoA leadership on the business need for various customer insights data sources
• Work cross-functionally with implementation teams on messaging, emphasizing required tools and resources to align with strategic direction.
• Collaborate with AG partners sharing and leveraging insights and resources where applicable.
• Develop benchmark overview industry and non-industry specific
• Define KPI strategy aimed and driving the after-sales merchandising teams

Possible Tasks within this Role

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in visual Merchandising, Interior Design, Project management or related field
• Or equivalent work experience

Desired:

• Master’s degree in fashion merchandising, brand management, or fashion communication,
• PMP certified
• LEED certified

• Leadership – Be the SME for all Merchandising topics, skilled in collaborating and motivating a multi-functional team
• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason, creativity and have a strategic point of view.  Ability to extract actionable insights and recommendations from data.
• Ability to influence and negotiate across multiple core teams, particularly at executive levels and varying cultural boundaries
• Customer centric with an ability to design business solutions around customer needs
• Communication skills – interpersonal, presentation, visual, and exceptionally strong written skills; requirement for drafting company policy documents and manuals
• Computer skills – Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook, Adobe Creative Suite; willingness to learn new applications as needed
• Automotive - General understanding of dealership operation business model and financials
• Process orientation – ability to create and streamline processes to allow for better efficiency and dynamic flow of broadly relevant dealer network information
• Collaboration – ensure proper discussion and achievement of department initiatives among different stakeholders
• Vendor Management – work closely with selected vendors to ensure positive program outcomes and assist in the strategy and selection of future project vendors
• Storytelling - Must be able to write and deliver a concise message to across multiple enterprises.
• Expert level ability to review, analyze, translate and communicate design concepts, architectural drawings, building specifications and other role specific documents
• Strategic with ability to create an manage and end to end retail experience concept 
• Process and detail oriented
• Detail oriented – exceptional focus and attention to detail and process orientation
• Attitude – individual should seek to achieve consensus and mutually beneficial solutions for customers and team members; strong negotiation skills and maintains a positive outlook
• Entrepreneurial - Self-starter that can work efficiently in teams or independently
• Service Orientated

Qualification requirements

7+ years of experience

Travel will be limited – up to 25% of time (approximate 40-hour work week, Monday-Friday)

Specialized Skills:

Required:

• Knowledge & understanding of overall automotive or brand retail operations
• Research ability for industry Retail merchandise case studies
• Previous Dealer contact or franchise Retail experience
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Excellent written & oral communications skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Highly degree of creativity; in solving problems and projects
• Demonstrated record of precision & integrity in past work assignments
• Demonstrated high level of initiative
• Administrative accounting and record keeping for key accounts
• Ability to track basic usage data to generate reports

Desired:

• Automotive or OEM related experience
• Competency in Project Management and Dealer Performance Benchmarking
• Network Development, Business Management, Dealer, Agent or Change Management experience
• Creativity for conceptual presentations
• Luxury Retail experience
• Deep understanding of After Sales operational functions and the relationships with Sales
• Administer vendor proposal and renewal process

Compensation Data

In the state of California, the salary range is $111,700.00 - $170,500.00.
In the state of Colorado, the salary range is $113,300 - $173,000. 
In the state of Washington, the salary range is $124,600 - $190,300. 
In New York City, the salary range is $136,000 - $207,600. 
In Westchester County, the salary range is $136,000 - $207,600. 
In the state of Rhode Island, the salary range is $113,300 - $173,000.