Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Max Ponomareff

Brooklyn,NY

Summary

Action-oriented, senior visual merchandising leader with a proven track record of effectively building talent, process, and strategy, and leading a diverse workforce. Confident, forward-thinking with an exceptional ability to build strong relationships with all levels of management. Extensive experience in leading visual execution and strategy.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President Global Visual Merchandising

ESPRIT
07.2023 - 03.2024
  • Led the conceptualization and execution of visual merchandising displays, windows and installations across all retail, pop-up, franchise and wholesale locations.
  • Provided visionary leadership to the global visual merchandising team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and excellence. Mentored and developed team members to maximize their potential and drive results.
  • Collaborated with c-suite and executive leadership to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
  • Played a pivotal role in relaunching a start up business in North America, contributing to its establishment and growth within the region, while shaping the visual identity of the brand.
  • Spearheaded efforts to revitalize and rejuvenate European business operations, implementing strategic initiatives that led to significant improvements in performance.

Senior Director North America Field Visual

KATE SPADE
05.2021 - 05.2023
  • Led and developed a dynamic, talented team focused on excellence in execution of all aspects of Visual Merchandising across North America, prioritizing specialty and outlet stores in addition to supporting wholesale and travel retail.
  • Created visual direction utilizing an “early store” process, adapting global initiatives and driving seasonal product strategies based on the business needs of North America.
  • Expanded door count for 3D interior and window activations increasing net promoter scores and customer awareness.
  • Realigned team to have single channel responsibility, in turn increasing focus, efficiency and accountability.
  • Launched a Visual Mentor Program to develop high performing field leaders.
  • Co-chaired the Prouder Together ERG to advance and promote LGBTQ+ equality within the organization.

Senior Director North America Field Visual

GAP
02.2016 - 05.2020
  • Led visual merchandising team supporting 800+ specialty and factory locations across North America to drive brand loyalty through exceptional customer experience of well merchandised, visually engaging stores that met business needs..
  • Built high functioning team of visual directors, senior managers and managers including Visual Operations team to develop strategies supporting product lifecycle, brand strategies and initiatives.
  • Created training tools, curriculum, certifications, and recognition to support continuous education of district and general managers.
  • Formalized communication cadence for centralized, consistent flow of visual information to and from field.
  • Developed tool to analyze space allocation, dollars per sq ft, dept. contribution and margin.

Director Global Visual Studio

GAP
10.2014 - 02.2016
  • Led creation of preseason visual merchandising direction for GapKids and BabyGap stores to support monthly brand strategies and initiatives.
  • Collaborated with merchants and design to deliver cohesive storytelling and relevant styling.
  • Worked with North America, Europe, and Japan teams to adjust presentations to meet stores and customer needs.
  • Promoted every core member of team.
  • Formalized mapping process with merchants to understand capacity.

Brand Presentation Director

RALPH LAUREN
03.2006 - 10.2014
  • Created Children's and Home departments' seasonal merchandising presentation and direction for Factory Store Concepts.
  • Developed visual merchandising plans including new store openings, renovations, and seasonal modifications
  • Designed training and resource guide for executive trainees for Brand Presentation rotation.
  • Established new assortment levels to better address differences in stores' capacity and sq footage.

Education

Business Administration

York College

Skills

Strategic Orientation

Leadership

Talent Builder

Collaboration

Visual Merchandising

Fashion

Styling

Customer Impact

Drive Results

Change Management

Retail Business Acumen

Store Operations

Timeline

Vice President Global Visual Merchandising

ESPRIT
07.2023 - 03.2024

Senior Director North America Field Visual

KATE SPADE
05.2021 - 05.2023

Senior Director North America Field Visual

GAP
02.2016 - 05.2020

Director Global Visual Studio

GAP
10.2014 - 02.2016

Brand Presentation Director

RALPH LAUREN
03.2006 - 10.2014

Business Administration

York College

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Max Ponomareff