Merchandise Analytics Manager

AKIRA Merchandise Analytics 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. Position Merchandise Analytics Manager Location: Chicago, IL - Onsite What You'll Own Hands-On Planning & Strategic Partnership (60%) Own merchandise financial planning for a couple of categories (forecasting, open-to-buy, in-season decisions, markdown strategy) Bring analytical rigor to planning decisions—question assumptions, identify patterns, use data to inform decisions Drive category performance: hit sales, margin, and inventory targets Serve as strategic partner to DMM/Directors and Buyers to align financial targets with assortment vision Partner with merchandising to influence assortment strategy, pricing, and inventory flow Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and inventory investment planning Present performance insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership AI & Process Exploration (40%) Explore how Claude and AI tools can improve planning—automation, efficiency, better decisions Identify manual work that could be automated or streamlined Prototype new approaches; test, learn, iterate quickly Build business cases for analytics investments and tools Communicate technical needs to IT/dev (data access, integrations, infrastructure) Create dashboards and reports that make planning data accessible to the team Who You Are 5–8 years in roles involving analytical thinking and problem-solving (planning, operations, consulting, product, finance, etc.) Deep understanding of retail/e-commerce planning or merchandising (or ability to learn it quickly) Naturally analytical—you question assumptions, look for patterns, think in systems Comfortable with ambiguity—you're building something new and proving its value as you go Curious about tools and technology—you want to explore Claude, AI, and automation to solve problems Can communicate with both business (merchandising, finance, buyers) and technical (IT/dev) stakeholders Strong executive presence; comfortable presenting insights and recommendations to senior leadership Bias toward action—you prefer shipping a working approach and improving it over endless planning Want to be hands-on—you see the impact of your work directly in category performance Benefits And Perks Medical Dental Vision Pet Insurance Life LTD FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA Flex Transit (CTA) 401(k) generous employee discount 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. At AKIRA, we believe in breaking down the barriers of the traditional retail experience and embracing the individuality of both our team and our clients. We’re on the lookout for extraordinary individuals who thrive on creativity, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Join our team and become part of a culture that values diversity, fosters personal growth, and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. #J-18808-Ljbffr AKIRA