Position
Director of Retail Operations
Location Chicago HQ | Travel: ~50-75% across ~40 stores + new openings
Reports to VP of Retail (or COO) – works closely with Retail Sales Director, Finance, Supply Chain/IT, Visual/Facilities
Overview This role is the operational engine behind our store network. You will lead the design, standardization, and execution of store operating systems and processes – enabling our field sales organization to operate at maximum effectiveness. Your mission: deliver operational efficiency, inventory discipline, store readiness and cost control, in partnership with the Director of Retail Sales.
Key Responsibilities Operational Standards & Playbooks
Define and maintain store operating standards and playbooks (store layout, visual, omni‑fulfilment, service, health & safety, loss prevention).
Lead audit programme: regular store visits, compliance/standards reviews, visual & operations audits, corrective action tracking.
Build repeatable processes for new opening readiness, remodels, back‑of‑house workflows, POS/tech enablement.
Inventory & Supply‑Chain Execution
Oversee inventory lifecycle for ~60K+ SKUs across network: on‑hand accuracy, replenishment cadence, surplus/aged inventory reduction, vendor/allocator coordination.
Partner with Merchandising/Allocation to optimise stock depth and breadth; minimise markdown burden, reduce stray/obsolescence, ensure right‑fit inventory in stores.
Manage shrink, returns, chargebacks: lead root‑cause analytics and mitigation plans (vendor compliance, store handling, logistics).
New Store Openings & Scaling
Lead end‑to‑end opening process: site readiness, fixture/visual set‑up, POS/CRM integration, field training, go‑live checks, early performance diagnostics.
Develop a scalable opening model that enables rapid growth (2–3 stores/year), consistent powerhouse launch execution, and quick ramp to chain average.
Operational Analytics & Cost Control
Establish KPIs: labour cost %, sales per labour hour, shrink %, on‑hand accuracy, store downtime, system uptime, store tech adoption.
Partner with Finance to build budgets (store wages, supplies, travel, facility maintenance) and monitor actuals vs plan; lead cost control and efficiency initiatives.
Lead continuous‑improvement projects: process standardisation, tech automation (StoreForce, workforce management), task elimination, performance optimisation.
Technology & Systems Enablement
Champion store‑technology ecosystem (POS, StoreForce, CRM, workforce/scheduling tools, omni‑fulfilment systems) to increase selling time and reduce operational friction.
Collaborate with IT and eCommerce/CRM teams to ensure store systems are integrated, data flows are accurate, field team visibility is real‑time.
Team Leadership & Field Support
Lead the operations field team (Operations Managers, Visual/Facilities Leads, Opening Project Managers).
Coach and develop these operations leaders: set development plans, ensure field presence, embed operational best‑practices, and build leader bench.
Travel frequently to stores to build credibility, lead training, audits, and readiness reviews.
Qualifications & Profile
8–12+ years in multi‑unit retail operations (apparel/fast‑fashion strongly preferred) with experience scaling systems across 20–50+ stores, ideally 40+.
Proven track record in operational excellence, inventory management (high SKU environment), store opening execution, process improvement and cost control.
Strong analytics aptitude: dashboards, root‑cause analysis, process mapping, cost modelling.
Change‑agent: thrives in a growth context, partners cross‑functionally (Merchandising, IT, Supply Chain) and drives adoption in field.
Bachelor's required; MBA preferred. Willing to travel 50–75%.
Collaborative leadership style; able to partner closely with Sales Director and other senior leaders.
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. 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.
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.
Job Type Full‑time. Starting pay range: $135,000 to $205,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location Chicago HQ | Travel: ~50-75% across ~40 stores + new openings
Reports to VP of Retail (or COO) – works closely with Retail Sales Director, Finance, Supply Chain/IT, Visual/Facilities
Overview This role is the operational engine behind our store network. You will lead the design, standardization, and execution of store operating systems and processes – enabling our field sales organization to operate at maximum effectiveness. Your mission: deliver operational efficiency, inventory discipline, store readiness and cost control, in partnership with the Director of Retail Sales.
Key Responsibilities Operational Standards & Playbooks
Define and maintain store operating standards and playbooks (store layout, visual, omni‑fulfilment, service, health & safety, loss prevention).
Lead audit programme: regular store visits, compliance/standards reviews, visual & operations audits, corrective action tracking.
Build repeatable processes for new opening readiness, remodels, back‑of‑house workflows, POS/tech enablement.
Inventory & Supply‑Chain Execution
Oversee inventory lifecycle for ~60K+ SKUs across network: on‑hand accuracy, replenishment cadence, surplus/aged inventory reduction, vendor/allocator coordination.
Partner with Merchandising/Allocation to optimise stock depth and breadth; minimise markdown burden, reduce stray/obsolescence, ensure right‑fit inventory in stores.
Manage shrink, returns, chargebacks: lead root‑cause analytics and mitigation plans (vendor compliance, store handling, logistics).
New Store Openings & Scaling
Lead end‑to‑end opening process: site readiness, fixture/visual set‑up, POS/CRM integration, field training, go‑live checks, early performance diagnostics.
Develop a scalable opening model that enables rapid growth (2–3 stores/year), consistent powerhouse launch execution, and quick ramp to chain average.
Operational Analytics & Cost Control
Establish KPIs: labour cost %, sales per labour hour, shrink %, on‑hand accuracy, store downtime, system uptime, store tech adoption.
Partner with Finance to build budgets (store wages, supplies, travel, facility maintenance) and monitor actuals vs plan; lead cost control and efficiency initiatives.
Lead continuous‑improvement projects: process standardisation, tech automation (StoreForce, workforce management), task elimination, performance optimisation.
Technology & Systems Enablement
Champion store‑technology ecosystem (POS, StoreForce, CRM, workforce/scheduling tools, omni‑fulfilment systems) to increase selling time and reduce operational friction.
Collaborate with IT and eCommerce/CRM teams to ensure store systems are integrated, data flows are accurate, field team visibility is real‑time.
Team Leadership & Field Support
Lead the operations field team (Operations Managers, Visual/Facilities Leads, Opening Project Managers).
Coach and develop these operations leaders: set development plans, ensure field presence, embed operational best‑practices, and build leader bench.
Travel frequently to stores to build credibility, lead training, audits, and readiness reviews.
Qualifications & Profile
8–12+ years in multi‑unit retail operations (apparel/fast‑fashion strongly preferred) with experience scaling systems across 20–50+ stores, ideally 40+.
Proven track record in operational excellence, inventory management (high SKU environment), store opening execution, process improvement and cost control.
Strong analytics aptitude: dashboards, root‑cause analysis, process mapping, cost modelling.
Change‑agent: thrives in a growth context, partners cross‑functionally (Merchandising, IT, Supply Chain) and drives adoption in field.
Bachelor's required; MBA preferred. Willing to travel 50–75%.
Collaborative leadership style; able to partner closely with Sales Director and other senior leaders.
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. 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.
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.
Job Type Full‑time. Starting pay range: $135,000 to $205,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr