AKIRA Field Visual Operations Manager

In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 40+ 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 high 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
Field Visual Operations Manager

Overview:
As a Field Visual Manager, you are a working leader — personally executing merchandising across multiple store locations while developing the Visual Merchandisers, Operations Managers, and Visual Operations Managers you work alongside. This role seamlessly integrates creativity with strategy: you'll analyze sales data, design compelling displays, and craft visual narratives that resonate with customers and drive results, while building the capability of the teams who sustain those standards between your visits. Success in this role demands a balance of artistic vision and data-driven decision-making, strong individual contribution, and the leadership presence to coach and develop others in real time on the sales floor.

Essential Functions:

• Independently prioritize in-store merchandising tasks each day by assessing aesthetic needs and analyzing and incorporating weekly selling data

• Effectively execute all in-store merchandising tasks according to company guidelines, including but not limited to: floor layout adjustments, floor moves, rack merchandising, table displays, wall displays, accessory displays, sales floor and window mannequin styling, promotional displays, etc.

• Work with and through Visual Merchandisers and Visual Operations Managers to build skill sets, solve problems, and drive store improvement — coaching in real time on the floor while personally executing alongside the team

• Communicate regularly with store management staff to ensure merchandising is meeting the needs of the business and aiding in sales

• Partner with the leadership team to ensure standards are being kept up throughout the store, and teach and participate in all tasks. Complete various cleaning tasks when changing displays (waxing racks, dusting tables, adjusting lighting after floor moves, etc.)

• Identify gaps in visual and operational execution across locations, develop solutions on the spot, and partner with store leadership to implement and sustain improvements

• Look for opportunities to innovate and improve current visual and operational processes — testing better approaches in-store and sharing what works across locations

• Complete daily and weekly visual and operations evaluations. Summarizing the merchandising tasks and looking forward to what's next to drive the business forward

• Elevate the customer experience not only through the store environment visually, but also by supporting sales. Ensure customers are being delivered the AKIRA styling experience by connecting customers to stylists and supporting in running the floor, cash wrap, and fitting rooms to minimize wait times and get them in and out with a smile on their face

• Support the Leadership team by participating in all functions of the business, including talent recruitment & performance management

Qualifications:

• Must be able to travel regularly between store locations across an assigned group of stores

• 10 years of visual merchandising experience, OR 5 years of multi-unit visual merchandising experience

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop visual and operations teams across multiple locations

• Strong knowledge of fashion and current trends

• Efficient and quick-paced, whether working independently or as part of a team

• Willingness to work early mornings and/or occasional late nights

• Excited to contribute to a dynamic and fun work environment

• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills

• Flexible with scheduling, including extended hours when needed
  

Physical Requirements:

• Move product, supplies, and/or boxes repetitively; ability to push, pull, and lift a maximum of 50 lbs. based on the needs of the role

• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time, including a 10-12 hour shift

Travel:

• Regular travel between store locations is required and central to this role

• Must be comfortable with frequent travel and variable schedules based on store needs

Benefits and Perks:
We offer competitive benefits for full-time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, 401(k), and a generous employee discount. We're committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement opportunities.

Job Type: Full-Time

We are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Compensation for this position will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process.

We may utilize AI-assisted and automated tools as part of the recruiting and hiring process. All employment decisions are made in compliance with applicable laws and without discrimination.