Christine Keegan
East Hanover,New Jersey
Summary
Accomplished and strategic Visual Merchandising Director with over a decade of experience driving impactful visual merchandising programs across multi-store retail environments. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, elevating key product stories, and executing brand-defining visual strategies that align with business goals. Proven track record in optimizing sales through data-driven consumer insights, innovative display techniques, and fostering strong collaboration with retail, merchandising, and leadership teams. Highly skilled in setting and communicating seasonal visual priorities, coaching in-store teams, and ensuring seamless execution of visual and operational excellence across regions. Recognized for building a culture of growth, innovation, and customer-centric merchandising that drives both engagement and performance.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
East Hanover School
, NJ
12.2023 - Current
- Manage classroom activities and redirect behavioral challenges for students with special needs
- Provide critical teacher support in curriculum delivery and student engagement
- Modify general education curriculum using adaptive instructional techniques and technologies
- Assess student needs, collaborate with the district behaviorist, and implement individualized education plans (IEPs).
Director of Visual
Bed Bath & Beyond
, NJ
05.2021 - 07.2023
- Led a team of 27, including 4 direct reports, overseeing visual merchandising, space planning, and floor layout teams to ensure seamless execution and alignment with brand standards
- Developed and implemented visual merchandising strategies aligned with brand directives, optimizing in-store adaptations and enhancing customer experience
- Redesigned over 50 merchandising playbooks, streamlining store-level execution by incorporating SKU-specific schematics, reducing execution time by 30% and improving accuracy by 20%, leading to enhanced operational efficiency across all locations
- Conducted store audits to ensure adherence to VM standards and assess performance
- Served as the functional expert within the merchant organization, translating product vision into physical retail spaces for Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuyBaby
- Led the planning and execution of flagship store in NYC, working closely with partnership with Merchants, Store Planning, and Fixture Development teams resulting in 14% category growth.
Director of Virtual & Visual Merchandising
Bed Bath & Beyond
, NJ
09.2014 - 05.2021
- Strategically optimized aisle and endcap allocations, achieving a 12% sales increase and uncovering add-on opportunities that boosted units per transaction by 15%
- Spearheaded in-store representation of online assortments via various collateral types, including books, graphic signage, and display-only sections
- Grew online assortment projects from 3 to over 130, using pilot results to drive larger rollouts
- Led virtual merchandising for multiple departments, enhancing customer's choice while managing inventory
- Partnered with e-commerce to enhance product merchandising online and improve site/app navigation
- Fostered collaboration between corporate and stores, ensuring store feedback informed strategic initiatives
- Key contributor to 'Store of the Future' initiatives, integrating new concepts into both new and remodel stores while reviewing budgets for each store
- Collaborated with product development team to influence product presentation, packaging, and overall visual elements
- Provided store support with planogram development, addressing challenges swiftly and delivering impactful solutions.
Corporate Senior Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
, NJ
10.2004 - 09.2014
- Partnered with packaging, branding, and product development to ensure seamless product launches
- Directed the team to deliver over 100 annual departmental guides with detailed and user-friendly merchandising instructions for field execution
- Participated in line reviews to evaluate SKU productivity and refine merchandising strategies for the upcoming season
- Trained store and district managers on merchandising for new store opening, ensuring timely and successful launches within a 10-day window
- Organized collaborative store walks with Buyer/Visual/Field Personnel to evaluate in-field merchandising and execution.
Corporate Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
Farmingdale, NY
05.2000 - 03.2002
- Designed, photographed, and edited visual merchandising guides to standardize displays across all stores
- Maintained a database of over 4,000 planograms and assisted store teams in guide implementation
- Coordinated with merchandising department to support release and product allocation dates.
District Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
, NY
05.2000 - 03.2002
- Trained managers and sales associates on visual merchandising standards
- Managed a team of 10 visual managers across different locations
- Supported corporate merchandising for seasonal campaigns and led the opening of the flagship Westbury location
- Analyzed sales and performance reports to identify deficiencies.
Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
Huntington, NY
10.1998 - 05.2000
- Led visual merchandising for flagship Long Island store, collaborating closely with department managers/store manager to drive sales.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Management
Plattsburgh State University of New York
Associate's Degree - Liberal Arts
Suffolk Community College
Skills
- Cross Functional Collaboration
- Team Building & Leadership
- Staff Training & Development
- Effective Communication
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong Business Acumen
- Hands-on Problem Solving
- Adaptability to Fast Paced Environments
- Ability to Lead Large Scaled Projects
Interests
Volunteer and assist children/adults with special needs in Lifetown Shoppes
Timeline
Special Education Paraprofessional
East Hanover School
12.2023 - Current
Director of Visual
Bed Bath & Beyond
05.2021 - 07.2023
Director of Virtual & Visual Merchandising
Bed Bath & Beyond
09.2014 - 05.2021
Corporate Senior Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
10.2004 - 09.2014
Corporate Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
05.2000 - 03.2002
District Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
05.2000 - 03.2002
Visual Manager
Bed Bath & Beyond
10.1998 - 05.2000
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Management
Plattsburgh State University of New York
Associate's Degree - Liberal Arts
Suffolk Community College
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