Footwear Buyer
: Job Details :

AKIRA Footwear Buyer

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.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: 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

Footwear Buyer

Location

Chicago, IL (On-site)

Overview:

AKIRA is seeking an experienced Buyer to join our Footwear Team in Chicago! In this role, you will play a key part in elevating assortments, driving sales, and telling compelling brand stories. You will utilize your expertise in market analysis, vendor relationships, and trend forecasting to curate a dynamic selection of footwear that appeals to our target audience. Your focus will be on ensuring our offerings are innovative and aligned with the latest footwear trends and customer preferences. The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker with a strong sense of style, exceptional negotiation skills, and a passion for driving growth in a fast-paced retail environment.

Essential Functions:

• Gain a deep understanding of our target audience and consistently select footwear styles that resonate with their preferences and needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with footwear vendors, scheduling regular check-ins to stay updated on the latest samples and innovations.
• Provide clear brand strategy guidance to vendors, offering timely design direction to ensure footwear collections align with current market trends.
• Set and achieve monthly goals for developing new footwear styles, taking a proactive approach to product innovation.
• Make informed decisions on footwear or material adjustments to ensure products meet quality standards and appeal to our customers.
• Conduct thorough research on emerging footwear trends and material innovations, using this knowledge to inform purchasing decisions.
• Review and approve footwear samples from vendors, ensuring high quality and consistency across the product range.
• Contribute to weekly sales meetings to discuss footwear performance, share insights, and strategize for continued success.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Apparel/Fashion Merchandising, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 4-5 years in buying, with a focus on understanding customer preferences and market trends
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret sales data and make informed buying decisions
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally
• Exceptional work ethic and motivation to meet strict deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communicator
• Excellent in Excel

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