Sample Coordinator

AKIRA Sample Coordinator

The Company

In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 35+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.) 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

Sample Coordinator

Location

Chicago, IL - Onsite

Position Overview :

The Sample Coordinator plays a key role in managing, organizing, and maintaining the flow of product samples across departments. This person ensures all samples are properly labeled, displayed, and tracked from arrival to archive - supporting buyers, merchandisers, and creative teams in bringing each AKIRA collection to life.

Daily Priorities & Responsibilities :

Transfer styles from PO racks to On Order areas efficiently and accurately.

Move samples from the fitting room to the correct month and department in the On Order area.

Maintain On Order grid walls - removing first samples, replacing with PPS, and organizing styles strategically (by fabric, trend, or category).

Ensure styles are 80% visible and not overcrowded, allowing quick identification by buyers.

After each quarter, transition samples from grid walls to racks, organized by trend, collection, and similarity.

Identify, label, and organize miscellaneous or unlabeled racks, confirming placement with buyers.

Maintain the sample archive area - keeping garments properly hung, categorized, and off the floor.

Unpack incoming sample parcels and organize by department for fittings.

Prepare samples for fittings - unzipped, organized, and ready to be reviewed.

Keep the fitting room area clean and functional, ensuring minimal clutter and regular maintenance.

Maintain the processing table area - fully stocked with hangers and clear for packing / unpacking.

Update style photo images from parcel lists, web images, and missing references.

Assist in merchandising stories from mood boards - organizing cohesive collections and creating virtual packets for stores.

Keep the swatch room organized and digital documents updated; manage new swatch arrivals and integrate them into both physical and digital libraries.

The Ideal Candidate Has / Is :

Highly organized and detail-oriented with a strong sense of visual order and presentation.

A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment.

Strong multitasking skills with the ability to shift priorities quickly.

Excellent communication and collaboration with buying and merchandising teams.

A love for fashion and an eye for trend, color, and texture coordination.

Proficiency in Excel, Google Sheets, or sample tracking tools preferred.

Previous experience in fashion, retail operations, or merchandising is a plus.

Diversity & Inclusion :

At AKIRA we believe that treating everyone in a first-class manner is essential to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our values and our community. This is deeply rooted in our company's principles, culture, and fashion. We continuously strive to cultivate a company where employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. Our unique workforce is directly linked to our success and makes us stronger collectively.

Benefits and Perks :

AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full-time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet, Life, LTD, FSA / HSA / Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 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

At AKIRA, we are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. The starting pay for this position is $40,000 - $45,000 annually, and may be adjusted based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process.