Shop & Space Planning - Designer (12-Month Contract)

Lush North America supports 252 retail stores in Canada and the USA, a business based in Canada, and manufacturing centers in Vancouver and Toronto. Lush is known worldwide for our unique bath and beauty products. We pride ourselves on amazing skin and hair care, personalized customer service, environmental activism and a vibrant store atmosphere. We believe it's our responsibility to advocate for the environment, animals and people in need. We're passionate about giving back to organizations locally and around the world.

Our Shop and Space Planning team is the perfect blend of design and visual merchandising. Each team member plays a role in ensuring our retail spaces are the perfect Lush brand experience. The SSP team members lead with a passion for design and are driven by the challenge of crafting unique experiences and  immersive spaces which reflect Lush’s values and unique innovation. All with a goal of  keeping customer and staff experience at the forefront of all creative decision making. This role takes a hands on approach and you are encouraged to get hands on often in shops and alongside our R&D projects working on new innovative ideas, actively supporting a variety of teams in creating spectacle through producing considered store layouts that keep our core values and key messaging at the forefront. It is crucial that as a member of the Shop & Space planning team you will have a clear understanding of the business critical functions and its priorities.

You hold sacred our Lush culture and values through fearless leadership and owning the experience of every relationship that represents the Lush brand. You’ll work on a collaborative, and cross departmental team that goes above and beyond to support our customers and staff.

You grow talent by motivating, encouraging and coaching your fellow employees to their highest potential; you know how to be curious about their opportunities and career ambitions and how to be real with feedback and support.

As a growing business, Lush needs people that can adapt and evolve to the needs of our business, analyze and interpret metrics and translate strategy into behaviors which drive sales and improve profit. Our Lush employees live with purpose, finding their personal value connection with the values of our business, bringing their work and life paths into one holistic journey. #mylushlife

Reporting to the Shop and Space Planning -  Design Manager, Shop & Space Planning - Designer undertakes the following RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design specific

• Develops full design packages for new stores, Remodels & Relocations which meet building codes, bi-laws & health & safety. Including schematic drawings, plans, elevations, RCP’s, section details and millwork packages.  
• Collaborates and directs external consultants on design intent, deadline deliverable and millstone management, ensuring acquisition of all permits and approvals within timelines. 
• Plan checks and redlines drawing sets with Construction PM to ensure all design intent and detail has been captured by external consultants. 
• Produces fixture package for Millwork Vendors.
• Works closely with partner Architects and Contractors on troubleshooting, answering questions and making preferred recommendations. 
• Budget / Capex understanding and oversight for any projects requiring construction or furniture fit out needs
• Prepares presentations and 3D models for the internal approval process, appraisals and project signoff by senior leadership team. 
• Designs fixture mockups for R&D as well as supporting product/range roll out needs
• Procures materials and goods for hands on R&D Projects 

Strategy Specific

• Partners with SSP team to support and implement an overall visual merchandising and design strategy to increase sales, ensure Global Brand Standards are upheld and provide an exciting and dynamic customer experience to 260+ shops in the USA and Canada.
• Collaborates with SSP team on rollout of shop (re)openings from start to finish (initial design to shop setup)
• Collaborates with cross functional teams, globally within Lush and external vendors, to determine best design considerations relating to, Project Budget, Construction, MEP, Retail Operations, Visual Merchandising, IT, Brand etc. to ensure delivery of environmentally responsible spaces, considering all aspects of the fit out processes, tech systems and materials used  
• Produces/maintains design guides for other areas of the business to use when required
• Maintains and manages online files for using & sharing 
• Provides remote or where appropriate, onsite support for all Shop and Space Planning needs  

Part of this role involves responsibilities within the Visual Merchandising realm and handwritten signage visual communication.  We recognize that not all individuals applying will have this experience.  This is something that we actively teach in house and will be offered to you

Visual Merchandising specific

• Works with wider SSP team, Retail and Brand teams to execute visually appealing and on brand displays to drive sales and react to needs of all existing and new stores, including (but not limited to):
•  New product and range rollouts 
•  Retail Initiatives
•  New shop openings
• Guides and supports selected shop staff who help support design and merchandising initiatives led by the SSP team in shops
• Supports with Lush Branded writing of signage in shops or remotely to supply to shops & event spaces as needed
• Guides and supports the Retail team and stores in maintaining consistent Brand customer experience by maintaining Global VM brand standards including visual displays, signage, and cleanliness.
• Conducts store visits as needed to gauge understanding and execution of visual standards, test and try new processes, and evaluate VM and sales strategies and react accordingly.
• Collaborates with cross functional teams in the development, implementation and maintenance of all shop signage and sundries 

You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 4+ years of related work experience in commercial or retail design in a brand or practice environment.
• Fluent in Autocad, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator
• Experience using Microsoft Programs (Outlook, Excel, Word)
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate actively and proactively with others in a cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to present ideas and findings to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Ethically minded individual with a passion for sustainable processes and material consideration.
• Self-motivated with the ability to continually drive work forward while managing multiple projects and deliverables, demonstrating personal accountability.  
• Organizational and analytical individual with an attention to detail and quality.
• Leads with courage, honesty and kindness and champions the same in others.  

Preferred: 

• Degree / Diploma in Interior Architecture, Interior Design or equivalent 
• 3+ years visual merchandising experience in a similar environment 
• Knowledge of creative and commercial aspects of visual merchandising and design with the ability to demonstrate these within a store environment.
• Fluency in Spanish, French or other languages a plus
• Experience in cross cultural collaboration, DEIB initiatives, or social justice training

Thriving with a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and committed to inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

#LI-IS1

Job Type: Contract role - 12-Months, Full-time.

Location: Remote role. Open to candidates based in the United States only

Travel Requirement: Travel up to 50%, including to stores and team meetings within North America, and to the Vancouver, BC and Toronto, ON offices.

Recruitment Process Overview: