Director of Retail Operations

AKIRA • Chicago, IL

6d • $135,000 - $205,000

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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
• Willing to travel 50–75%.
• Collaborative leadership style; able to partner closely with Sales Director and other senior leaders.

Nice To Haves

• MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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.
• The starting pay range for this position is $135,000 to $205,000 annually, based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.
• Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the interview process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director