Visual Merchandising & Space Planning Manager

1. Job Purpose

To develop and implement effective visual merchandising, product categorisation, planogram and retail space planning strategies across Ninso outlets. The role is responsible for optimising product placement, shelf allocation and store layouts to enhance product visibility, improve customer shopping experience, maximise sales productivity and ensure consistent merchandising standards throughout the retail network.

The successful candidate will establish a systematic approach to product category placement, shelf space allocation and store display execution, taking into consideration sales performance, product assortment, stock availability, replenishment requirements and the operational needs of a high-volume, multi-category retail business.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Product Categorisation & Category Placement

• Develop and maintain a standardised product categorisation structure, including major categories, subcategories and product groups.
• Establish clear guidelines for product classification and ensure consistency across all Ninso outlets.
• Determine the appropriate placement of product categories within the store based on customer shopping behaviour, product relationships, sales potential and operational requirements.
• Work closely with the Sourcing & Purchasing and Category Management teams to align product assortment, category structure and store merchandising strategies.
• Review category arrangements periodically to accommodate new product introductions, seasonal merchandise and changes in customer demand.

B. Store Space Planning & Shelf Allocation

• Develop store layout and space allocation plans to maximise the effective use of available retail space.
• Determine shelf space allocation for each product category based on sales performance, gross margin, SKU count, stock turnover, replenishment frequency and product dimensions.
• Establish guidelines for aisle planning, shelf configuration, product adjacencies, display zones and promotional areas.
• Ensure that product placement supports customer convenience, product visibility, accessibility and efficient stock replenishment.
• Recommend layout adjustments to improve store navigation, reduce underutilised space and enhance overall sales productivity.
• Develop standardised layouts for different store sizes and formats, taking into account store-specific constraints.

C. Planogram Development & Implementation

• Develop and maintain planograms specifying product placement, shelf levels, facing quantities, product sequence and display arrangements.
• Establish clear shelf allocation and product display standards for different categories and subcategories.
• Ensure that planograms consider product dimensions, packaging, sales potential, stock holding capacity and replenishment requirements.
• Prepare visual layout guides, shelf display diagrams and implementation instructions for outlet teams.
• Conduct pilot implementations at selected outlets before rolling out approved planograms across the retail network.
• Review and update planograms in response to changes in product assortment, sales performance, stock availability and store layout.

D. Visual Merchandising Standards & Store Display

• Establish company-wide visual merchandising guidelines covering product presentation, shelf organisation, promotional displays, signage placement and display consistency.
• Ensure that product displays are neat, organised, easy to shop and aligned with Ninso's retail positioning.
• Develop practical merchandising solutions suitable for a high-SKU, value-for-money retail environment.
• Coordinate with the Marketing team on promotional campaigns, seasonal displays and in-store merchandising requirements.
• Ensure price labels, promotional materials and product displays are clear, consistent and aligned with applicable company and regulatory requirements.

E. Outlet Execution, Training & Compliance

• Work closely with Area Managers, Assistant Area Managers, Cluster Managers and Outlet Managers to implement approved store layouts and planograms.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), implementation checklists and merchandising manuals.
• Conduct outlet visits and merchandising audits to assess compliance with approved layouts, shelf allocations and display standards.
• Provide practical training and guidance to outlet teams on product categorisation, shelf replenishment, planogram execution and visual merchandising.
• Identify gaps in execution and implement corrective actions with the relevant Operations teams.
• Establish a consistent process for communicating merchandising changes and ensuring timely implementation across outlets.

F. Sales Performance Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Analyse sales data, SKU productivity, gross margin, stock turnover and category performance to support space allocation decisions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of planograms and store layouts using measurable business indicators.
• Identify slow-moving categories, inefficient shelf utilisation and opportunities to improve product visibility and sales performance.
• Recommend adjustments to category placement, shelf space and product display based on actual outlet performance.
• Prepare periodic reports on merchandising compliance, space utilisation, planogram implementation and improvement initiatives.
• Continuously benchmark retail merchandising practices and recommend improvements suitable for Ninso's business model.

3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be assessed based on agreed targets, including:

• Planogram Implementation Compliance – percentage of outlets complying with approved planograms and merchandising standards.
• Space Utilisation Efficiency – effectiveness of shelf and floor space allocation across store formats.
• Sales Productivity – improvement in sales performance per square foot or other agreed retail space productivity measures.
• Category Performance – improvement in category sales, gross margin and SKU productivity, where applicable.
• Merchandising Audit Results – outlet compliance scores and reduction in recurring merchandising issues.
• Implementation Timeliness – timely completion of new layouts, planograms and merchandising initiatives.
• Training Effectiveness – completion of required training and improvement in outlet execution.
• Continuous Improvement – measurable improvements resulting from space planning and merchandising initiatives.

Specific KPI targets should be established after reviewing Ninso's current outlet formats, baseline performance data and operational capabilities.

4. Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Retail Management, Visual Merchandising, Space Planning, Marketing, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5–8 years of relevant experience in visual merchandising, retail space planning, category merchandising or store layout management.
• Experience in supermarket, hypermarket, discount retail, variety store, department store or other multi-category retail environments will be an advantage.
• Proven experience in developing planograms, shelf allocation strategies, store layouts and merchandising SOPs.
• Experience supporting multiple outlets and implementing standardised retail merchandising practices across a store network.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and translate findings into practical merchandising decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with planogram software, CAD or other store space planning tools is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel regularly to outlets across Malaysia.

5. Required Competencies

• Strong understanding of retail merchandising and space productivity.
• Excellent product categorisation and spatial planning capabilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Good project management and implementation capabilities.
• Effective communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence outlet teams and drive consistent execution across multiple locations.
• Detail-oriented, practical and commercially minded.
• Able to balance merchandising standards with operational feasibility and cost efficiency.

6. Key Internal Stakeholders

• Chief Operating Officer / Head of Operations
• Sourcing & Purchasing Department
• Category Management / Buying Team
• Marketing Department
• Retail Operations Team
• Area Managers and Outlet Managers
• Store Development / Project Team, where applicable

7. Expected Deliverables

Within the initial employment period, the successful candidate is expected to establish:

• A standardised product categorisation and category placement framework.
• Store layout and space allocation guidelines for different outlet formats.
• Category-specific planograms and shelf display standards.
• A visual merchandising and space planning SOP manual.
• An outlet merchandising audit and compliance monitoring system.
• A structured implementation and training programme for outlet teams.
• A reporting framework to monitor merchandising effectiveness and space productivity.

8. Scope of Authority

The position is responsible for developing and recommending merchandising standards, product category placement, planograms and space allocation strategies. Implementation of material store layout changes, significant capital expenditure and changes affecting product assortment or commercial strategy shall be subject to the relevant management approval and coordination with the respective departments.

Pay: RM7,000.00 - RM15,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person