OVERVIEW

The Samples Lead owns the samples/product function supporting the Studio Stylists and the broader Marketing Creative styling team, ensuring all meetings, photoshoots, and assets best represent Alo's excellence. This role is the product expert and closet owner for the styling department, setting the standards, systems, and vendor relationships that keep product moving reliably to the Studio Stylists across Web Production, Creative, Marketing, Production, and Merchandising. The Lead exercises independent judgment over product planning, budget, and vendor decisions, and partners directly with the Senior Director, Styling on seasonal go-to-market planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary samples/product partner to the Studio Stylists, ensuring the right product is in the right place for every studio shoot and fitting.
• Own the end-to-end product tracking system and standards used by Creative and Marketing teams; set and enforce product handling SLAs across departments.
• Forecast product needs across up to 8 concurrent seasons (men's, women's, accessories) and advise the Senior Director, Styling on timeline risk and mitigation.
• Represent the product function in seasonal go-to-market planning meetings, flagging risk and proposing solutions for availability constraints.
• Own the product budget: make purchasing and reorder decisions within delegated budget authority; evaluate, select, and negotiate rates and turnaround terms with laundry, steaming, and courier vendors.
• Manage product handover from Product Development to Creative Services, resolving competing requests from business partners independently and escalating only matters of significant business impact.
• Coordinate with Technical Design and Merchandising to borrow proto or fit pieces when necessary.
• Facilitate product borrowed between internal departments via a check-out/check-in system.
• Coordinate dates to ensure product is available for key meetings and shoots in advance of the meeting date.
• Document approved outfits and style notes.
• Direct the preparation and organization of product in shot list order for all ecommerce, digital marketing, social, and campaign photoshoots, including oversight of freelance/temp support during peak weeks.
• Own weekly product reporting to Creative and Marketing leadership.
• Maintain clear, proactive communication on product location and status at all times.
• Provide hanging assistance and, when necessary, assist on set by steaming and dressing talent in accordance with shot lists.
• Track ETAs, monitor change-log notes, and stay attentive to late adds and drops; ensure product is photoshoot-ready by coordinating laundry services and ordering replacements when needed.
• Serve as product expert, maintaining deep working knowledge of the entire product line.
• Independent judgment and decision-making on matters of significance, including budget and vendor decisions.
• Cross-functional relationship management with Creative, Marketing, Production, Merchandising, and outside vendors.
• Forecasting and planning across multiple concurrent seasons.
• Process ownership: ability to design, set, and enforce systems rather than solely follow them.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear, proactive communication with senior stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–5 years of related experience managing a sample/product closet, including vendor management or budget responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience setting or improving workflows and processes, not solely following existing ones.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable partnering with senior stakeholders across departments.
• Ability to navigate competing requests from multiple business partners and resolve independently, escalating only significant matters to senior management.
• Strong Excel skills required; experience building or managing tracking systems preferred.
• Knowledge of Adobe Bridge & Photoshop a plus.
• Fashion industry experience required.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable exercising independent judgment on day-to-day product decisions.
• Friendly and inspirational team player with a great attitude and positive mindset.

The base salary range for this position is $70,000-$75,000 per year which represents the current range for the base salary for this exempt position. Please note that actual salaries will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. As such, on occasion and when applicable, there is the possibility that the final, agreed-upon base salary may be outside of the upper end of the range. Please also note the range listed is just one component of the company’s total rewards package for exempt employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, long term incentives, a PTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.