Creative Services Sample Specialist
About the job
- A Bachelor's Degree or related business experience.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work with a diverse group of people.
- Detail-oriented with advanced organizational skills.
- Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
- Ability to manage assigned workload while adapting to changing priorities.
- Proficient computer skills and ability to understand advanced applications.
- Ability to champion continuous process improvement.
- Basic math and reading skills, legible handwriting, and basic computer operation.
- Ability to maintain prompt and regular attendance and meet scheduling requirements.
- Ability to learn and comply with company policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
- Ability to receive, understand, and proactively respond to direction from leadership and other company personnel.
- Ability to work as part of a team and interact effectively and appropriately with others.
- Ability to maintain composure and accomplish multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Ability to satisfactorily complete company training programs.
- Ability to use a personal computer for communication and report preparation.
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and monitor activities across business units.
- Ability to complete or oversee assigned projects in a timely manner.
- Ability to comply with dress code requirements.
- Attend project turn-ins, internal sample reviews, and other meetings related to assigned projects.
- Procure, gather, and organize samples based on marketing requirements and production schedules.
- Evaluate capture requirements based on sample details and the Style Guide, and create the corresponding capture outline.
- Verify that accurate samples and associated details are received on time for each project.
- Track and monitor all samples from submission through post-production.
- Interpret and procure sample and prop needs based on seasonal and creative direction.
- Barcode and maintain samples housed at the photo studio.
- Maintain and organize sample rooms at corporate and photo studio locations.
- Organize and execute the return and purge of samples after production.
- Partner with producers and the project coordination team to ensure merchandise availability based on established timelines and maintain production priorities.
- Coordinate samples shared between multiple projects.
- Coordinate tracking and shipment of merchandise between corporate, studio, vendor, and production locations.
- Maintain sample and shot statuses to communicate effectively with key stakeholders.
- Create and maintain project follow-up documentation to communicate and resolve outstanding issues with merchant partners.
- Serve as liaison between merchant partners and execution teams to proactively resolve sample questions.
- Perform additional assigned tasks.
- Perform the accountabilities listed in the What You'll Do section.
- Maintain prompt and regular attendance and meet scheduling requirements.
- Receive, understand, and respond proactively to direction from leadership and company personnel.
- Experience in merchandise management.
- Ability to stand for long periods, climb ladders and rolling staircases.
- Ability to lift up to 25-40 pounds.
- Ability to travel occasionally.
About the company
Kohl's is a major U.S. retailer offering clothing, shoes, home goods, toys, electronics, and more through online and physical stores. It supports omnichannel shopping with options like buy online, pick up in-store and frequent promotions, including free shipping on many items. Revenue comes from merchandise sales and partnerships, with additional income from its Kohl's Cash loyalty program and credit card partnerships. The goal is to provide value and convenience to families and budget-conscious shoppers by blending a wide product mix, easy returns, and a simple, rewards-enhanced shopping experience across channels.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Founded
1962
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 gross margin jumped 305 basis points to 43.0% after tariff refunds.
- Digital sales rose 2.8% in Q2 2026, signaling healthier omnichannel demand.
- Management restarted up to $100 million buybacks after raising 2026 guidance August 26.
What critics are saying
- Kohl's posted 18 straight quarters of declining comps through August 26, 2026.
- Sephora sales fell 4% in Q2 2026, exposing weak beauty assortment execution.
- Tariff refunds boosted Q2 margin; without them, Kohl's turnaround looks fragile.
What makes Kohl's unique
- Sephora partnership still drives younger traffic across 850+ Kohl's stores in 2026.
- Ryan Waymire starts September 28, 2026, bringing Walmart, Amazon, Target merchandising discipline.
- Private labels plus Martha Stewart and Bobby Flay deepen value-home exclusives.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 2%1 year growth
↑ 2%2 year growth
↑ 3%Kohl's is experiencing renewed momentum in its footwear division, according to Telsey Advisory Group following an investor meeting with the retailer's executives. The department store is seeing improved performance from brands including Nike and Skechers. Boots represent an important opportunity for the second half of the year, compared to last year when Kohl's faced product availability issues and tariff challenges. The company reports its product pipeline is becoming healthier with greater innovation and newness. Whilst consumers face headwinds, Kohl's finds shoppers respond to value, newness and innovation. The retailer's private label portfolio is helping meet consumer demand for value and quality. During second quarter earnings last month, chief executive Michael Bender noted footwear performance accelerated approximately 500 basis points compared to the first quarter.
Kohl's reported net income of $151m, or $1.28 per diluted share, for the quarter ended 1 August 2026, significantly up from last year's adjusted net income of $64m. The retailer attributed approximately $100m in tariff refunds to gross margin gains, which rose 305 basis points to 43.0%. Year-to-date net sales declined 1.2% to $6.3bn, with comparable sales down 1.0%. Operating income reached $261m, up from last year's operational baseline of $161m. The tariff refund windfall enabled Kohl's to revise its fiscal 2026 outlook upwards and restart its share repurchase programme with up to $100m in buybacks. The company now expects full-year comparable sales between a 1.5% decrease and flat, with adjusted earnings per share forecast between $1.80 and $2.40.
Kohl's has appointed Ryan M. Waymire as Chief Merchandising Officer, effective 28 September. Waymire brings 25 years of retail experience from Walmart, Amazon, and Target, most recently serving as SVP of Fashion at Walmart US. In his new role, Waymire will oversee Kohl's merchandise strategy and all merchandising functions, including buying, product design, and sourcing. CEO Michael J. Bender highlighted Waymire's expertise in refreshing merchandise strategies for broad customer bases and integrating collaborations and social media influencers. Waymire replaces Nick Jones, who has served as Chief Merchandising Officer since 2023. Throughout his career, Waymire has held progressive leadership positions at major retailers and holds an MBA from Saint Louis University.
Kohl's is expanding its home product range with new kitchen appliances from Martha Stewart and cookware from Bobby Flay. The Martha Stewart line includes mixers, griddles, slow cookers and milk frothers, plus a new home fragrance collection. Bobby Flay's collection will add stainless steel and ceramic cookware sets and frying pans starting in September. The department store is also strengthening its apparel and beauty offerings. In March, Kohl's added MAC Cosmetics to over 850 Sephora locations and YSL Beauty to nearly 200 stores. The retailer recently expanded its SO brand for juniors, introducing SO Office Edit with workwear pieces. In Q2, Kohl's net sales fell less than 1% to $3.3 billion, whilst comps declined less than 1%.
Kohl's reported second-quarter net sales fell less than 1% year-on-year to $3.3 billion, with comparable sales also down less than 1%. However, Sephora at Kohl's sales declined 4%, following a drop in the first quarter. CEO Michael Bender attributed the Sephora downturn to a lack of fresh products and weakness in certain beauty categories, particularly skin care. Fragrance, hair care, and makeup remained strong. Gross margin expanded by 305 basis points to 43%, aided by $150 million in tariff refunds. Net income fell over 1% to $151 million. The department store raised its full-year guidance, now expecting sales to be flat or fall as much as 1.5%. This marked Kohl's 18th consecutive quarter of declining comps, though the best performance since third quarter 2021.