Sr. Specialist, Visual Merchandising
Location: 3232 Lake Ave Suite 1, Wilmette, IL 60091
The competitive entry pay rate for this role is $22/hr.

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Overview:

As a Senior Specialist of Visual Merchandising at Wayfair, you’ll shape the look and feel of our in-store experience, translating our brand vision into dynamic, immersive displays that spark inspiration and drive customer engagement. Reporting to the Department Manager, you’ll lead visual strategy and execution across key areas of the store, blending creativity, data, and collaboration to enhance how customers shop, explore, and connect with our products.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced retail setting, brings a sharp eye for detail and design, and enjoys leading both projects and people. You’ll mentor others, take ownership of major visual initiatives, and work cross-functionally to ensure our brand story is consistent, compelling, and always customer-first.

 

What Does a Senior Visual Merchandising Specialist Do?

• 🧠 Lead Visual Strategy: Develop, execute, and refine seasonal and promotional visual strategies that align with brand guidelines, marketing campaigns, and sales goals.
• 🛍️ Drive Display Excellence: Create visually impactful, on-brand displays that showcase product features, improve flow, and inspire purchase—all while maintaining high standards of organization and cleanliness.
• 📈 Use Data to Guide Decisions: Analyze inventory movement, sales trends, and customer behavior to optimize product placement and recommend layout changes that enhance engagement and performance.
• 📋 Own Projects Start to Finish: Lead key visual initiatives such as new store launches, seasonal floorsets, and promotional rollouts. Coordinate timelines and logistics, and partner across teams to ensure smooth execution.
• 💬 Coach and Mentor: Share your expertise by training Visual Specialists and Sales Associates on merchandising standards, visual storytelling, and presentation best practices.
• 👀 Maintain Store Standards: Conduct regular walkthroughs to ensure brand alignment across all visual elements. Identify opportunities for improvement and quickly adjust to evolving store needs.
• 🎯 Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work with sales, marketing, and operations teams to connect visual merchandising efforts to broader business priorities and customer experience goals.
• 🌟 Inspire and Innovate: Keep up with industry trends and bring fresh, creative ideas to elevate how we tell our brand story in-store.
• 🛠️ Be a Reliable Partner: Maintain a strong daily presence on the floor. Communicate clearly, solve problems quickly, and bring professionalism to every shift.
• 🎨 Drive Customer Experience & Engagement: Create an inviting and inspiring shopping atmosphere by using thoughtful visual storytelling. Connect with customers to understand their needs and make merchandising choices that enhance their overall retail journey.

What are the Job Requirements?

• 🎨 Visual Merchandising Experience: 3+ years in a visual merchandising role with growing responsibility. Experience in home furnishings, design, or large-format retail is a plus.
• 🗂️ Project Ownership: Proven ability to manage complex, time-sensitive merchandising projects with high attention to detail.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Leadership & Mentorship: Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a passion for coaching others and leading by example.
• 📊 Analytical Thinking: Comfort using sales and inventory data to make informed visual decisions.
• 🧩 Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to think strategically and creatively to develop displays that drive both inspiration and results.
• 🖥️ Tech Comfort: Familiarity with visual merchandising tools and basic planogram interpretation. Experience with planogram software is a plus.
• 📅 Schedule Flexibility: Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.
• 📦 Physical Requirements: Ability to move, lift, and carry up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, and be on your feet for extended periods.
• 🎓 Preferred Education: Bachelor’s degree in Visual Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Additional Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• 💪 Physical Activity: Frequent standing, walking, and reaching with hands and arms; occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, and crawling.
• 🧎 Mobility & Movement: Frequent stooping, kneeling, and crouching throughout the day.
• 📦 Lifting Ability: Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs regularly.
• 👀 Vision Requirements: Includes close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• 🌡️ Temperature Flexibility: Comfortable in environments with varying temperature conditions.
• 🔊 Noise Tolerance: Occasional exposure to moderate noise levels and physical activity.
• ⚠️ Safety Awareness: Minimal exposure to workplace or environmental hazards—must adhere to all safety protocols.
  
  

What are the Benefits*?

• 💰 Competitive Pay: Earn competitive compensation with regular opportunities for performance-based increases.
• 🚀 Career Growth: Access professional development and advancement opportunities to help you grow with us.
• 🩺 Health Benefits from Day One: Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starts on your first day.
• 🌴 Time to Recharge: Start accruing paid time off immediately—because work-life balance matters.
• 💼 401(k) with Company Match: We’ll match up to 4% to help you plan for your future.
• 🎓 Tuition Reimbursement: Eligible after 6 months of employment—learn, grow, and get support along the way.
• 🛒 Wayfair Employee Discount: Save big on the pieces you love—plus get 10% off at our in-store restaurant 🍽️.
• 👶 Parental Leave Options: Choose from paid and unpaid leave plans to support your growing family.
• ✨ And So Much More: We’ve got more good stuff where that came from! NOTE: our full-time roles receive the full benefits package above, while part-time or seasonal team members may have modified offerings. Your recruiter or in-store team can help with any questions!