About the Role :

At Heads Up For Tails, our stores are more than retail spacesthey're destinations where pet parents discover, connect, and experience the very best for their pets. As we continue to expand across formats and cities, we're looking for a Visual Merchandising Lead who can shape a distinctive retail experience that is both inspiring and scalable.

In this role, you'll define the visual language of our stores, transforming them into thoughtfully curated spaces that tell compelling stories, simplify the shopping journey, and strengthen our brand identity. You'll combine creativity with operational excellence, building systems and frameworks that enable consistent execution while allowing flexibility across different store formats.

Working closely with Retail, Brand, Product, Design, and Operations teams, you'll lead the evolution of our in-store experiencefrom concept and campaigns to execution and continuous improvement. If you're passionate about creating memorable retail environments, thrive in a hands-on role, and believe great visual merchandising is equal parts storytelling and strategy, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities/What You Will Do :

Create the HUFT Retail Visual Language :

- Define a clear, ownable visual identity for stores.

- Build guidelines for storytelling across zones: food, treats, toys, grooming, wellness, etc.

- Ensure every store feels like HUFT, regardless of size or city.

Build Scalable VM Systems :

- Develop modular planograms that work across different store formats.

- Create display logic frameworks (not rigid layouts) that teams can adapt.

- Standardize fixtures, signage, storytelling blocks, and key focal points.

Turn Stores from Cluttered to Curated :

- Simplify and declutter merchandising across categories.

- Improve product visibility, navigation, and storytelling.

- Create clear moments in-store.

Drive Execution Excellence Across Stores :

- Train store teams on VM basics + ongoing upkeep.

- Build simple, usable VM playbooks for teams on the ground.

- Conduct audits and continuously elevate store standards.

Create High-Impact Retail Moments :

- Design seasonal themes, campaigns, and in-store experiences.

- Bring campaigns to life.

- Introduce small but powerful details that create delight and discovery.

Partner Cross-Functionally :

- Work closely with brand, retail, product, and design teams.

- Ensure VM aligns with product launches, campaigns, and business priorities.

Who You Are :

- You have strong aesthetic sensibilityyou can walk into a space and instantly know whats off.

- Youve worked in retail, lifestyle, fashion, or experience-led brands.

- You understand that great VM is both art and system.

- Youre obsessed with details, flow, and customer experience.

- You can simplify complexity and build scalable frameworks.

- Youre hands-onyou dont just design decks, you fix shelves.

- You care deeply about how spaces make people feel.

What Will Set You Apart :

- Experience working across multiple store formats.

- Ability to create modular, flexible VM systems.

- Strong understanding of customer behavior in physical retail.

- A portfolio that shows before/after transformations.

- A love for animals (this one matters to us).

Qualifications & Skills/What You Need :

- 5- 8 years of relevant experience.

- Bachelors/Masters degree in the relevant field.

- Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).

- Proven working experience in retail sales.

- Customer service focused.

- Animal Lover Preferred.