Manager-Sample Mgmt

The Sample Manager oversees all aspects of enterprise sample management across Catalyst Brands, ensuring the seamless flow of product samples that fuel our eCommerce, campaign, and marketing content creation. This role is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Plano Sample Management team, optimizing processes, and enabling accurate tracking and movement of thousands of product samples each season.
The Sample Manager partners closely with Photo Production, Merchandising, Logistics, and our offshore support teams to ensure products are received, organized, prepped, and shipped to meet content deadlines. This role plays a critical part in driving operational efficiency and supporting the overall content supply chain.

Leadership & Team Management
•    Lead and develop a team of Sample Coordinators and Specialists, fostering accountability, efficiency, and collaboration across brands.
•    Establish clear roles and workflows aligned to brand pillars (JCP, Lifestyle, Iconic) and ensure consistent standards of execution.
•    Partner with the Sr. Manager, Photo Studio Operations to forecast seasonal sample volumes and staffing needs.

Process & Operations Management
•    Oversee all inbound/outbound sample logistics including shipping, receiving, labeling, and distribution to studio teams.
•    Manage tracking systems to maintain visibility of sample status from order to return, ensuring minimal loss or delay.
•    Partner with the Creative Operations and Technology teams to refine and enforce processes within the enterprise Studio Production Platform (Letsflo) or equivalent tool.
•    Collaborate with Photo Coordination and Production teams to align sample readiness with shoot schedules and brand priorities.
•    Maintain clear documentation and SOPs across all sample-related workflows.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
•    Serve as the primary liaison between Studio Operations, Merchandising, Marketing, and external vendor partners for sample requests, approvals, and issue resolution.
•    Coordinate with the Enterprise Samples team, offshore support (BGL), and logistics vendors to ensure smooth international and domestic shipments.
•    Partner with Finance and Analytics to reconcile shipping, courier, and vendor expenses related to sample movement.
Metrics & Continuous Improvement
•    Monitor sample turnaround time, loss rate, and shipping costs; identify areas for improvement and drive process optimization.
•    Implement barcoding and tracking enhancements to improve transparency and auditability across brands.
•    Support enterprise reporting on sample utilization, production efficiency, and cost management.

Key Skills & Qualifications
•    5+ years of experience in product or sample management within a retail, fashion, or photo studio environment.
•    Strong understanding of eCommerce and campaign photo workflows and dependencies.
•    Proven ability to manage logistics, inventory systems, and high-volume operations with precision.
•    Exceptional organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
•    Experience with sample management systems, barcoding, or workflow tools (e.g., Letsflo, Creative Force, ShotFlow).
•    Strong communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
•    Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.

Catalyst Core Competencies
•    Operational Excellence: Drives accuracy, organization, and efficiency at scale.
•    Accountability: Ensures sample integrity, timeliness, and compliance across all brands.
•    Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds trust and alignment across Creative, Merchandising, and Logistics.
•    Continuous Improvement: Identifies and implements smarter, more scalable sample management practices.

About Catalyst Brands Creative Services & Operations
Catalyst Brands Creative Services & Operations powers the content supply chain for six iconic retail brands — from concept through delivery. Our teams lead innovation across photography, video, design, and asset management to deliver high-quality, on-brand content that connects with customers everywhere they shop.