AKIRA Director of Visual Merchandising
In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women’s clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 30+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.com.) AKIRA is extremely well-poised for sustained growth as we continue to build a nationally recognized brand.
AKIRA’s culture has one very large, distinct difference from other fast-fashion competitors: Other-Worldly Customer Service and Fanatical, Obsessive Attention to the consumer’s needs and desires. The core principle for all employees at AKIRA is to Act and Think Like an Owner, and this belief can be reflected across all areas of the company.
The Position
Director of Visual Merchandising
Location
Chicago, IL
Responsibilities:
- Serve as head of company-wide visual merchandising efforts for 25+ stores across 4 metropolitan areas and suburbs in the Midwest
- Leverage top line data into merchandising efforts that drive sales, both across the company and at store-specific, department-specific levels
- Hire, train, and lead a team of field visual merchandisers
- Develop and continually evolve training and strategic guides to ensure that Visual Merchandising team applies unified principles across all stores
- Analyze, understand, and refine processes related to visual merchandising to optimize efficiency/better meet needs of business
- Collaborate with senior management on hiring and developing visual teams
- Hands-on work in the field alongside visual merchandisers is required
- Partner with senior level leaders to plan and execute new store floor sets
- Execute visual merchandising efforts that support a rigorous selling environment
- Plan and execute free form floor sets across stores with varying sales volumes, square footage, and layouts
- Interdisciplinary work with creative/construction team to source, develop, refine, and repurpose in-store fixturing
- Plan and execute window installations
- Bring strong creative eye to store design and aesthetics
- Infuse artistic elements into visual merchandising through stores
Minimum Qualifications/Characteristics:
- Bachelor’s degree is required (preferably in a related field)
- Own vehicle and ability to travel is required
- Portfolio submission is strongly encouraged
- Sound understanding of retail math is required
- 3-5 years of field visual merchandising experience is preferred
- Chicago-based position, but travel is required
- Must be technically proficient
- Excellent organizational skills are required
- Ability to actively communicate with all levels of staff
- Ability to think and act strategically and proactively
- Strong problem solving skills a must
- Must be able to lift at least 30 lbs
- Ability to climb ladders
Benefits and Perks:
AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA, 401(k), and employee discount. We are committed to encouraging internal development and providing significant career enrichment opportunities. Most importantly, what has propelled AKIRA’s growth and success over the years has been the dynamic culture within the company – if you’re filled with passion, have a strong desire to get things done, and if you want to go to a place where you know your work matters and where you can implement your ideas and decisions, then AKIRA just might be the place for you.
Job Type: Full Time
On site, travel required
AKIRA/shopAKIRA.com
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