In-Store Visibility & Design Lead

ABOUT THE ROLE

The In-store Visibility & Design Manager leads end-to-end visual merchandising design and production for Unilever Thailand's retail presence. This role combines creative design expertise with a deep understanding of retail business dynamics to craft display solutions that drive shopper engagement and sales conversion. You will own the design agenda across channels — from concept and structural engineering to production and in-store deployment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Translate brand objectives and commercial goals into compelling in-store display concepts and planogram strategies across all touchpoints.
• Develop and own the visual identity for extra displays (off-shelf) and permanent fixtures across Big C, Local Modern Trade, and assigned channels.
• Integrate shopper marketing insights and trade channel dynamics into design briefs to ensure commercial relevance.
• Lead full design lifecycle: ideation → technical drawing → supplier briefing → production oversight → in-store installation review.
• Create detailed structural specifications and technical drawings for display units, gondola ends, permanent fixtures, and visibility materials.
• Manage vendor and production partner relationships, ensuring quality compliance, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
• Maintain and continuously improve the design standards library, brand asset toolkit, and display guidelines.
• Partner with the CSP, Brand, and Shopper Marketing teams to align visibility solutions with brand architecture and key business priorities.
• Work closely with the Execution Lead and Sales to ensure seamless handover from design intent to in-store reality.
• Provide design support for key customer presentations and joint business plan discussions.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3 direct reports: Designer, Operations Manager (Network & Budget), and Operations Staff.
• Build team capability in both creative design and operational execution.
• Plan and manage the visibility investment budget; track spend vs. plan and identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Define and monitor KPIs for design output quality, project turnaround time, and in-store compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in retail display design, shopper marketing, or visual merchandising — preferably within an FMCG, retail, or agency environment.
• Proven track record of managing end-to-end design and production projects, including structural and 3D display design.
• Hands-on experience working with Modern Trade accounts (Big C, Lotus's, Makro, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendors, production budgets, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• At least 2 years of team leadership experience.

Technical Proficiency

• Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator (Ai), Photoshop (Ps), InDesign (Id) — Advanced level.
• 3D & Structural Design: SketchUp and/or AutoCAD for display unit engineering.
• Digital Design & Prototyping: Figma or Canva for concept communication and stakeholder presentations.
• Strong understanding of print production, material specifications, and structural fabrication processes.

Competencies

• Business Acumen: Ability to connect design decisions to commercial outcomes (sell-out, visibility share, conversion).
• Creative Problem Solving: Transforms constraints (budget, space, channel requirements) into elegant design solutions.
• Project Management: Organized, deadline-driven, and capable of managing multiple projects in parallel.
• Communication & Influence: Confident in presenting design concepts to commercial and senior stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: Uncompromising standards in design quality and production accuracy.