Title Assortment Concept & Creative Lead

Overview

Job Title: Assortment Concept & Creative Lead

Introduction:

This innovative retail concept redefine show customers approach home improvement and hardware shopping. It combines the reliability of a traditional hardware store with a curated, design-forward experience that supports both professional builders and do-it-yourselfers. The concept emphasizes customer service, curated assortments, project-based shopping, and community engagement, with a focus on making every builder feel confident, supported, and inspired from the moment they enter the store.

Description:

The Assortment Concept & Creative Lead is a critical role managing creative execution and design-led product categories. Reporting to the Chief Creative and Marketing Officer (CCMO), this role blends creative direction with assortment creative, overseeing assortment selection, vendor partnerships, and collaborations for design categories.

This is a hands-on position in a startup retail environment, requiring the ability to support the creative team in store design and customer experience while also acting as the business owner for design categories. The Assortment Concept & Creative Lead will partner closely with the merchandising team on concept, buying and category management, ensuring design assortments inspire customers, strengthen the brand, and deliver strong business results.

Job Responsibilities:

• Creative and Visual Management:
  Lead the creative efforts and partner with marketing team in developing in-store design, displays, signage, and customer experience across touchpoints

• Design Category Assortments:
  Curate assortment selection, vendor partnerships and collaborations for design categories with support from the merchandising team, under the direction of the CCMO

• Merchandising and In-Store
  
  Experience:
  
  Oversee execution of merchandising and product presentation for design categories to highlight curated assortments and elevate engagement

• Buying and Category
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Under the direction of the CCMO, participate in buying and category planning for design categories, working closely with the General Merchandising team to align creative inspiration and commercial performance

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner with merchandising, marketing, and operations to ensure design categories are integrated across assortments, campaigns, and customer experiences

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Creative and Retail Expertise:
  Strong background in creative direction, retail design, trend and concept and visual merchandising across physical and digital channels

• Category and Vendor Management:
  Experience managing assortments, vendor partnerships, and pricing strategies in design-focused categories

• Analytical and Strategic Thinking:
  Ability to balance creative vision with commercial results, using data and feedback to guide decisions

• Technical Proficiency:
  Skilled with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and content production workflows

• Leadership and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Proven success building, mentoring, and leading creative teams while influencing stakeholders across functions

• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Clear, persuasive communicator able to present creative concepts and gain alignment across executive stakeholders

Education and Certificates:

• Experience Requirement: 7+ years of progressive experience in creative direction, retail design, or brand management, with at least 5 years in a management role

• Foundational
  
  Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Design, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field required

• Advanced Preparation:
  Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred to support strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and creative-business integration

• Professional Development:
  Certifications in design leadership, merchandising, or brand strategy advantageous

• Commitment to Learning:
  Demonstrated ability to stay current with evolving creative tools, retail design practices, and storytelling trends

Physical Requirements:

• Physical Work Requirements - Light: exerting up to 15 lbs of force occasionally

• Repetitive motion associated with operating various types of office and design equipment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

• Periodic travel to retail locations, creative shoots, and industry events, primarily within the United States

Compensation and Benefits:

We recognize that attracting and retaining top talent requires a competitive, comprehensive package. In return for your leadership and contributions, you will receive:

• Base salary of $75-100k with target total compensation of $85k-115k (pay dependent on experience)

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401(k) with company match and profit sharing

• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays

• Career growth and leadership development opportunities