Retail Marketing and Visual Design Manager- Hotel Chocolat

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Retail Marketing and Visual Design Manager

Company: Mars (Hotel Chocolat)

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Retail Marketing & Visual Merchandising Operations

Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the visual merchandising strategy and execution for all US retail stores and cafes, ensuring brand consistency and maximizing product appeal.

• Drive the definition and implementation of store layouts, product range assortments, and detailed planograms to optimize trading density and sales performance.

• Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of in-store marketing assets and seasonal campaigns to create a seamless, on-brand customer journey.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including trading, operations, property, and UK-based creative studios, to ensure alignment and successful retail expansion initiatives.

• Analyze campaign and VM performance to provide data-driven recommendations for future strategies, aiming to enhance revenue and profitability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges retail marketing and visual design, focusing on the physical store experience. While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" role, it heavily influences revenue through visual merchandising, store layout optimization, and campaign execution, making it a critical function within the Go-To-Market (GTM) operational framework for the retail channel. The emphasis on planograms, store expansion, and performance analysis aligns with operational efficiency and revenue generation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Visual Merchandising & Store Design:

  • Develop and implement comprehensive Visual Merchandising (VM) guidelines and principles for all US stores in collaboration with trading, operational, and property teams.
  • Lead the execution of VM guidelines across all US retail locations, ensuring consistent brand presentation.
  • Define and execute store-specific planograms, recommending optimal range counts to maximize trading density and sales.
  • Design product layouts and store configurations for existing and new locations to enhance customer flow and product visibility.

• Retail Marketing Asset Management:

  • Lead the briefing, development, and execution of all in-store marketing materials, including Point of Sale (POS), digital screen content, and menu boards.
  • Collaborate with US Marketing, Retail teams, and UK-based in-house studios to ensure cohesive campaign execution.
  • Support the US team on retail marketing technology requirements, such as Content Management Systems (CMS) for digital screens.

• Retail Expansion & New Store Openings:

  • Lead visual merchandising planning and execution for all new store openings, balancing seasonal campaigns with new store introductions.
  • Collaborate with US Retail, store teams, operations, and demand planning to ensure stock alignment and VM minimums for new store launches.
  • Partner with the UK creative team, US teams, and US store fit design partners on fixtures and fittings to optimize store setup for success.

• Seasonal Campaign Execution:

  • Recommend optimal seasonal range counts for each store to maximize trading density during key periods.
  • Create seasonal product layouts and store-specific planograms aligned with campaign objectives, sales performance, bestsellers, and hero products.
  • Plan and execute the retail launch for all seasonal campaigns, overseeing the briefing, development, and execution of related in-store marketing materials.
  • Drive the creation of seasonal guidelines for store implementation.

• Performance Analysis & Optimization:

  • Analyze campaign and VM performance to identify trends, measure effectiveness, and make recommendations for future strategies.

  • Capture learnings from each project to optimize future initiatives and recommend new opportunities for revenue enhancement and efficiency.

  • Collaborate with US Marketing & Digital teams to optimize the digital merchandising experience on the company's direct-to-consumer (Dcom) site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a focus on physical retail operations and marketing execution. The role requires a blend of strategic planning (guidelines, layouts, range definition) and tactical execution (planograms, asset deployment, campaign launches). The emphasis on collaboration with various departments and external partners highlights the cross-functional nature of operations management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 4+ years of experience in Retail Visual Merchandising, range planning, and execution within a multi-site retail environment.

• Demonstrable experience in managing retail marketing asset creation and execution.

Required Skills:

• Visual Merchandising Expertise: Deep understanding of visual merchandising principles, store layout optimization, and product placement strategies to drive sales.

• Planogram Development: Proficiency in creating and executing detailed store-specific planograms, including seasonal and core product assortments. Experience with planogram software tools is essential.

• Retail Marketing Execution: Ability to lead the creation and implementation of in-store marketing assets (POS, digital content, etc.) from concept to completion.

• Creative Briefing & Agency Management: Skill in developing clear creative briefs and managing relationships with internal and external creative teams/agencies.

• Project Management: Ability to define critical paths, manage timelines, and ensure stakeholder alignment for retail expansion and campaign projects.

• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Strong command of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel for data analysis and PowerPoint for presentations.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

• Organizational Skills: Meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational abilities to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Customer Experience Focus: Understanding of how visual merchandising and in-store marketing impact the customer journey and overall retail experience.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with luxury or premium brands, particularly within the retail and food & beverage sectors.

• Familiarity with retail marketing technology, such as Digital Signage Content Management Systems (CMS).

• Experience optimizing digital merchandising on e-commerce platforms (Dcom site).

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong foundation in physical retail operations and visual presentation. The requirement for planogram software and experience in managing creative development highlights the need for both technical and strategic skills. The preference for luxury brand experience suggests a focus on premium customer experience and brand aesthetics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Merchandising Case Studies: Showcase examples of successful visual merchandising strategies implemented in previous retail environments. This should include before-and-after visuals, rationale for design choices, and measurable impact on sales or customer engagement.

• Planogram Examples: Demonstrate proficiency in creating detailed store-specific planograms, highlighting how product placement was optimized for different store formats or seasonal demands.

• Retail Marketing Campaign Execution: Present projects where you led the creation and execution of in-store marketing assets. Detail the creative brief, the development process, and the final execution across physical retail spaces.

• Retail Expansion Projects: Include examples of contributions to new store openings or significant store redesigns, focusing on the VM and marketing aspects.

• Performance Analysis & Recommendations: Showcase instances where you analyzed VM or campaign performance and presented data-driven recommendations for improvement. Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased sales, improved foot traffic).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document the process you follow for creating VM guidelines, developing planograms, and executing seasonal campaigns. Highlight how you ensure efficiency and alignment across teams.

• Agency Collaboration Process: Outline your methodology for briefing and managing external creative agencies or in-house studios, including communication protocols and deliverable management.

• Performance Measurement Framework: Describe how you track and measure the success of visual merchandising and in-store marketing initiatives, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting mechanisms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on visual merchandising and retail marketing, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase visual outcomes but also the strategic thinking, process management, and performance analysis that underpin successful retail operations. Demonstrating the ability to optimize processes and leverage data for decision-making will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $108,160 - $148,720 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical and dental benefits.

• Retirement Savings: Participation in a 401k plan.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off (PTO).

• Employee Perks:

  • 50% unlimited staff discount on Hotel Chocolat products.
  • 70% discount on stays at the Hotel in St. Lucia.

• Flexible Working: Openness to discuss flexible working arrangements to balance work and personal life.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for 3 days in the Chicago office and 2 days remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is based on the information in the job description for Chicago, IL, considering the mid-level experience requirement and the specific responsibilities for a Retail Marketing and Visual Design Manager. Benefits are standard for a large organization like Mars, with notable perks like significant staff discounts and a hotel discount.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Premium Chocolate Retail & Hospitality (part of Mars, Inc.)

Company Size: Mars, Inc. is a global conglomerate with over 140,000 employees worldwide. Hotel Chocolat, as a brand within Mars, likely operates with a dedicated team, but benefits from the resources and stability of its parent company.

Founded: Hotel Chocolat was founded in 2004. Mars, Inc. was founded in 1935.

Team Structure:

• Reporting Line: Reports directly to the US Marketing Lead.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with US Marketing, US Retail teams, store operations, property management, demand planning, and the UK-based in-house studio. May also collaborate with external partners, agencies, and store fit design partners.

• Team Focus: The role is embedded within the US marketing and retail operations for Hotel Chocolat, focusing on driving brand presence and sales through optimized physical retail environments.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven VM: Emphasizes the use of performance analysis to inform visual merchandising and campaign strategies, aiming to maximize revenue and profitability.

• Collaborative Planning: Relies on close collaboration with various departments to ensure alignment on store design, product range, and marketing execution.

• Customer-Centric Design: Focuses on creating an exceptional in-store customer journey through thoughtful store layouts and compelling visual displays.

Company Website: https://www.mars.com/ and https://www.hotelchocolat.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within Mars provides a stable foundation, while the Hotel Chocolat brand allows for a focus on premium, customer-centric experiences. The hybrid team structure indicates a blend of independent work and collaborative engagement, common in modern retail operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level management capacity, specifically within the retail marketing and visual operations domain. It requires a blend of strategic planning for store presentation and hands-on execution of marketing initiatives. The scope includes managing multiple retail locations and contributing to the company's physical expansion.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the US Marketing Lead, indicating a direct line of influence on the marketing strategy for the US market. This position is key in translating marketing objectives into tangible in-store experiences.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on driving in-store sales, enhancing brand perception, and ensuring a consistent, premium customer experience. By optimizing product placement, store layouts, and marketing execution, the manager directly influences revenue generation and customer loyalty within the physical retail channel. This role is critical for the successful rollout of new stores and seasonal campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a senior marketing or retail operations leadership role, overseeing broader market strategies or larger teams.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in luxury retail VM, international market expansion, or retail technology integration.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to transition into broader marketing management, brand management, or even retail operations management roles within Mars or Hotel Chocolat.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in areas like retail analytics, consumer behavior, and advanced visual design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a well-established company like Mars, particularly within its premium consumer brands. The focus on retail expansion and direct revenue impact provides significant visibility and opportunity for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-office presence. The Chicago office likely serves as a hub for collaborative work, team meetings, and strategic planning sessions.

Office Location(s): Global Innovation Center, Chicago, USA.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates a collaborative approach to teamwork, leveraging office days for in-person brainstorming, team alignment, and stakeholder engagement.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to necessary tools for visual merchandising (planogram software), marketing asset creation, project management, and standard office productivity suites (Microsoft Office). Potential exposure to retail marketing technology like CMS for digital screens.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the US Marketing Lead, US Retail teams, and potentially other functional departments. Opportunities to engage with UK-based teams and external partners.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule, with an expectation of 3 days per week in the Chicago office. Flexibility may be discussed, aligning with the company's overall approach to work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring strong self-management and communication skills to maintain productivity and collaboration across remote and in-office settings. The Chicago location places the role within a major business hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and application by HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience with visual merchandising, retail marketing, planogram development, and campaign execution. Behavioral questions assessing problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present your portfolio, showcasing specific case studies of successful VM strategies, retail expansion projects, and marketing asset execution. Expect to discuss your process, challenges, and quantifiable results.

• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from Marketing, Retail Operations, and potentially Property teams to assess collaboration style, strategic alignment, and understanding of the business context.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the objective, your role and responsibilities, the strategies and processes you employed, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., sales lift, improved customer engagement, successful store opening).

• Visual Emphasis: Ensure your portfolio is visually compelling, using high-quality images and graphics to showcase your design and merchandising work.

• Process Demonstration: Clearly explain your process for creating VM guidelines, developing planograms, and executing marketing campaigns. Highlight any innovative approaches or efficiency gains.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your initiatives. Focus on how your work directly contributed to business objectives like revenue growth, profitability, and brand enhancement.

• Tailor to Hotel Chocolat: Research Hotel Chocolat's brand aesthetic, target audience, and current retail strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their premium positioning and growth plans.

Challenge Preparation:

• VM Scenario: You might be presented with a hypothetical store scenario and asked to propose a VM plan or a seasonal campaign execution strategy.

• Creative Brief Development: You may be asked to outline the key components of a creative brief for a new in-store display or marketing campaign.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to discuss how you would address common retail challenges, such as managing inventory for VM, ensuring consistent execution across multiple stores, or adapting campaigns for different store sizes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize practical application and strategic thinking. A well-curated portfolio that demonstrates hands-on experience in visual merchandising, retail marketing, and impact analysis will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Planogram Software: Essential for creating and managing store layouts and product placement. Specific software may vary, but proficiency in at least one industry-standard tool is expected.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Excel: For data analysis, sales tracking, inventory management, and performance reporting.
  • PowerPoint: For creating presentations, proposals, and VM guidelines.
  • Word: For documentation, creative briefs, and communication.

• Project Management Tools: Likely used for tracking project timelines, tasks, and stakeholder communication (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or internal Mars systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Retail Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools that track in-store sales data, foot traffic, and customer behavior to inform VM decisions.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create and interpret reports from various data sources to measure campaign and VM performance.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): While not the primary focus, understanding how VM and retail marketing integrate with customer data in a CRM can be beneficial.

• Digital Signage CMS: Experience with Content Management Systems for digital screens used in-store.

• Dcom Site Optimization Tools: Familiarity with tools or platforms used to manage and optimize product displays on the company's e-commerce website.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with planogram software is a non-negotiable technical requirement. Familiarity with retail analytics and digital signage CMS will strengthen a candidate's application, demonstrating an understanding of modern retail operations technology.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to creating exceptional customer experiences within the physical retail space, ensuring every touchpoint is on-brand and appealing.

• Excellence in Execution: Dedication to meticulous planning and flawless execution of visual merchandising and marketing campaigns to uphold the premium brand image.

• Collaboration & Alignment: Valuing teamwork and open communication to ensure seamless integration between marketing, retail operations, and other functional areas.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A willingness to explore new design concepts, leverage technology, and adapt strategies based on performance data and market trends.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing insights from performance analysis to guide strategic choices in product placement, store layout, and campaign execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively seeks to collaborate with marketing, retail operations, property, and creative teams to achieve shared goals.

• Partnership Management: Works effectively with external agencies and vendors, fostering strong working relationships to deliver on project objectives.

• Feedback & Improvement: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to continuously improve processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively shares insights and best practices related to visual merchandising and retail marketing with team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a blend of creative flair and operational rigor, fitting for a premium brand's retail presence. The values suggest a team that is customer-centric, detail-oriented, and works collaboratively to achieve business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Local Needs: Ensuring that VM guidelines and marketing campaigns are consistently applied across all US stores while allowing for minor adaptations to suit specific store sizes or local nuances.

• Pace of Retail Expansion: Managing the complex logistical and creative demands of opening new retail locations while simultaneously executing seasonal campaigns and maintaining existing stores.

• Cross-Departmental Alignment: Navigating the needs and priorities of various stakeholders (Marketing, Retail Ops, Property, Merchandising) to achieve consensus on store design and product placement.

• Measuring ROI of VM: Quantifying the direct impact of visual merchandising on sales and profitability can be challenging, requiring robust data analysis and attribution models.

• Adapting to Evolving Consumer Behavior: Staying ahead of trends in retail design, customer experience, and digital integration to keep the physical store offering fresh and engaging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced VM Techniques: Access to training or workshops on cutting-edge visual merchandising strategies and design principles.

• Retail Technology Integration: Opportunities to learn about and implement new retail technologies, such as digital signage, interactive displays, and data analytics platforms.

• Brand Management: Potential to gain exposure to broader brand marketing strategies and their execution across different channels.

• Project Leadership: Developing skills in leading complex, multi-faceted retail projects from inception to completion.

• Industry Conferences: Attending retail design and marketing conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for professional development by tackling complex retail challenges and embracing new technologies within a dynamic market.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing Visual Merchandising guidelines for a multi-site retailer. How do you ensure consistency and effectiveness?"

• "Walk me through a successful retail expansion project you managed. What were your key responsibilities regarding VM and marketing, and what were the outcomes?"

• "How do you approach creating a seasonal campaign plan for retail stores? What elements do you prioritize, and how do you measure success?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, how do you see your skills and experience aligning with Hotel Chocolat's premium brand positioning?"

• "How would you contribute to a collaborative culture within the US marketing and retail teams, and how would you manage relationships with our UK-based studio?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives. For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, your process, and the results.

• Visual Evidence: Use high-quality photos and mock-ups to illustrate your VM concepts and executed campaigns. Show before-and-after comparisons where possible.

• Data Showcase: Present key metrics and KPIs that demonstrate the impact of your work. Focus on quantifiable achievements like sales increases, improved customer flow, or successful campaign execution.

• Process Clarity: Explain your methodology for planning, execution, and analysis. Highlight your proficiency with planogram software and other relevant tools.

• Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you adapt strategies for different store formats, budgets, and seasonal demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will likely focus on practical application, strategic thinking, and collaborative capabilities. Demonstrating a clear process, quantifiable results, and an understanding of premium brand representation will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Retail Marketing and Visual Design Manager position:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided link to submit your resume and any requested supplementary documents through the Mars careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Assemble a digital portfolio that highlights your most relevant work. Focus on case studies demonstrating visual merchandising strategy, planogram development, retail marketing asset execution, and contributions to retail expansion projects. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly emphasizes experience in retail visual merchandising, range planning, planogram software, creative brief development, and campaign execution. Use keywords from the job description to optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and portfolio examples. Be ready to discuss your process, challenges, and successes in detail, particularly how your work contributed to sales, brand image, and customer experience. Research Hotel Chocolat’s brand, its current retail presence, and its parent company, Mars.

• Research Company & Role: Understand Hotel Chocolat's brand values, target market, and strategic goals for the US. Familiarize yourself with the company's approach to retail operations and marketing within the broader Mars organization.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.