Sample Coordinator

About the Role:

Sur La Table's Merchandising, Creative, and Integrated Brand Marketing teams all depend on the same physical samples — for photoshoots, floor set builds, milestone meetings, and campaign production — but no centralized coordination exists today. This role fills that gap.

As Sample Coordinator , you will build and own the sample tracking system from the ground up, serving as the operational backbone that ensures the right products are in the right place at the right time. In your first six months, success means a functioning centralized tracking system, a shared calendar that eliminates double-booking, and cross-functional partners who trust you as the go-to person for sample logistics.

This is a lean team. You will own a lot, move fast, and make decisions with full end-to-end responsibility.

What You'll Do:

- Create and maintain a centralized sample tracking system — knowing where every sample is, who has it, and when it returns.

- Manage a shared sample calendar so Creative, Merchandising, and Integrated Brand Marketing never double-book the same items for competing needs.

- Track pre-production samples separately from live/post-production inventory, accounting for their longer lead times and higher coordination complexity.

- Receive, organize, and log merchandise samples daily across all three functional areas; break down packaging and maintain a clean, organized shipping area.

- Manage the sample shed — ensuring samples are correctly identified, stored, and retrievable.

- Request missing samples from the distribution center, ship samples with proper documentation, and alert receivers with tracking information.

- Prepare and stage samples for test kitchen sessions, visual floor sets, department resets, style-outs, and milestone meetings.

- Coordinate sample preparation and logistics for all photoshoot types: on-location, studio and lifestyle, HQ tabletop, and ATW silo photography.

- Coordinate pre-production samples for creator partnerships, table-setting content, and high-complexity shoots involving hero products or cross-market sample movement.

- Support intake, packing, and shipping workflows for image harvest sessions as defined by Creative and IBMktg project managers.

- Proactively communicate sample availability, conflicts, and timing to all cross-functional partners.

- Manage sample transitions, giveaways, and return-to-vendor processes as needed.

Required Qualifications:

- 1+ years of retail experience and/or experience in an office environment.

- Demonstrated ability to manage details, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet deadlines across competing priorities.

- Must be available to work onsite at Seattle HQ at least 4 days per week, with flexibility for photoshoots, floor sets, and sample-heavy periods that may require additional onsite presence.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively across cross-functional teams.

- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; comfortable learning additional programs and software.

- Baseline AI user capability for tracking, documentation, and MS Office work.

- Ability to lift equipment, boxes, and merchandise samples up to 40 lbs.

- Ability to work on your feet for multiple hours a day.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Sur La Table product knowledge or experience in a relevant merchandising, creative, or marketing category.

Why Join:

The people who do best here are builders. They take ownership, move fast, and want to see the direct impact of their work.

- Team Environment: You will work alongside Merchandising, Creative, and Integrated Brand Marketing — your work directly enables three teams to operate at their best.

- Training and Development: Build hands-on expertise in sample management, retail operations, and cross-functional coordination with a clear path to grow within a creative retail organization.

- Trusted From Day One: You will own the sample tracking system end-to-end and be the person teams count on to keep campaigns, shoots, and floor sets on track.

- Competitive Benefits: Paid time off policies, 401(k) match, medical/dental/vision and a variety of supplemental policies, and employee discounts across our portfolio of brands.

Interview Process:

- Recruiter Screen - A 30-minute conversation with our recruiting team to align on the role, your background, and what you are looking for.

- Hiring Manager Interview - Conversation with the Merchandising team focused on your organizational skills, communication style, and approach to managing competing priorities.

- Reference Checks - Conducted in parallel with the final stages where possible.

- Offer - We move quickly for the right candidate.

Interview process is subject to change. Any updates will be communicated promptly and clearly.