Merchandise Coordinator, Production Assistant

About the Creative Team
Our Creative Team at Williams Sonoma is made up of Producers, Photographers, Art Directors, Designers, Writers, Social Media experts, Content Creators and Visual Merchandisers who bring the Williams Sonoma and Williams Sonoma Home brands to life across all channels and engage with our customers at every touch point.

 

About the Role 

In the Merchandise Coordinator role, you will be responsible for organizing, transporting, and staging merchandise, props, surfaces, grip, crafty, and other supplies necessary to efficiently execute each shoot. You will be relied on by the Producer for any updates regarding product issues, supply shortages, equipment and truck maintenance, etc. We are seeking a Merchandise Coordinator who is a self-starter, detail-oriented, and able to work independently and proactively to constantly support all facets of our photo teams while maintaining a can-do attitude.

Duties + Responsibilities: 

• Work with Producers daily to review what’s needed to execute photoshoots including — ordering and organizing merchandise and props, prepping surfaces, equipment, and crafty items. 
• Understand the sample ordering/returning process to help organize and track merchandise before and after photoshoots. 

• Unpack and carefully re-pack photo samples safely for transit between photo teams, WS buildings, locations, and the warehouse. 

• Unpack, check in, and test (if applicable) product before each shoot. 
  Save/organize paperwork/empty boxes, alert Producers of any issues with product, and note quantity received on sample tracker. 

• Ensure all merchandise and props are returned with proper labeling and wrapping, alerting any issues immediately to the shoot’s Producer.

• Maintain, organize and update/document: prop cage, surfaces, sample inventory kept in studios, and studio crafty. 
• Assemble and set out breakfast daily. 
• Keep crafty table clean, organized, and stocked for the beginning and end of each day, alerting Producer for any needed supplies. 
• Unload/load dishwasher and bring in/set out trash bins daily for studio. 
• Needs to be in Richmond location by 8:00am start time daily.
• Help construct and maintain various set and surface rigs on-set. 
• Assemble furniture pieces for photoshoot.
• Remain attentive and proactive to anticipate the needs of the photo crew on set.
• Drive 15’ and 20’ truck, and sprinter van (both require no special license). 

• Vehicle upkeep: keep clean, keep insurance binders on hand, park in designated area at studio and notify Producers when they need maintenance.

• Travel occasionally with photo teams for photoshoots on location.

• Unload and reload trucks with merchandise.

• Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor with the photo team, merchants, vendors, and homeowners.

Sample Coordination

Studio/Facility Upkeep

Studio/Location Needs

Required Competencies: 

• Ownership attitude – you’re happy to jump up to help anyone, finding samples quickly and rapidly change out sets, thinking on the spot for quick yet effective solutions in high pressure time constraints.
• Great time management skills – you’re able to work quickly while maintaining safety, prioritizing tasks, pivoting when necessary and staying calm under pressure.
• Extremely organized and thorough – you’re able to stage samples thoughtfully, troubleshooting samples for anything missing, broken, or defective and alerting Producers immediately.
• Anticipate needs – you’re always two steps ahead, listening so you can foresee and resolve issues early.
• Maintain an “all hands-on deck” mentality to jump in to help where needed. 
• Sense of urgency when the task calls for it. 

Preferred Qualifications: