Merchandise Analytics Manager

Job Description

Job Description

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.

The Position: Merchandise Analytics Manager

Location: Chicago, IL - Onsite

The Position:

You'll own analytics and planning strategy, proving that analytical thinking and smarter tools drive better decisions.

60% of your time: own merchandise financial planning for a couple of categories. You'll bring analytical rigor to decisions and partner with merchandising and buyers on assortment strategy, pricing, and inventory flow.

40% of your time: explore how Claude and AI tools can improve planning. Prototype new approaches, automate manual work, and build the case for analytics investment.

You'll also bridge our planning needs and IT—helping communicate what technical capabilities we need next.

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:
AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full-time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and a generous employee discount. We're committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement opportunities.

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.