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Associate Buyer
URBN
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Urban Outfitters: Associate Buyer - Women's Apparel
URBN is a portfolio of global consumer brands comprised of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, Terrain and the Vetri Family. We are passionate, creative and entrepreneurial. We create unique retail experiences with an eye toward creativity and a singular focus on pleasing our customer.
Reports to
Sr. Buyer
Supervises
Assistant Buyer
Overview
To deliver the sales and profit plan for a specific area (category may be determined by department or by individual classes) through the precise execution of a well-conceived merchandise strategy. Contribute to e-commerce marketing efforts and lead product development of online exclusive product.
Responsibilities
Staff
• To motivate, lead, develop and coach the Assistant Buyers/Merchandise Assistants in order to retain the best possible team
Merchandise Analysis
• Analyze weekly and monthly sales, stock and on-order with the goal of optimizing sales and minimizing markdowns.
• With Buyer/Senior Buyer recognize and react quickly to all trends, both major and minor, in the business, whether they be product related or store related.
Merchandise Planning
• Work with the Buyer and Planner on revising plans to ensure that sales and margin are optimized by class.
• Ensure that buying direction is on target based on partnering with Buyer and comprehensive analysis of the business, e.g., last year results, current trends, attribute selling, etc.
OTB (Open-To-Buy) Management
• Manage the financial elements of the business, e.g., OTB, IMU, MD’s, etc. for assigned classes
• Ensure that the receipt plan is tightly managed and that orders are placed on a timely basis (neither too late or too soon) and that receipts flow correctly throughout the month.
Manage Styleouts
• Manage styleouts to achieve, to the greatest possible degree, that each item is a winner and that the assortment is properly balanced and invested by ensuring there is an appropriate balance of looks, silhouettes, fabrics, patterns, color, price points, etc., and that we are taking the correct inventory position with key items and fringe and/or new items.
• Effectively manage Catalog assortment as a profitable subset of .com inventory: Have point of view in presentation of final catalog pagination; gain knowledge in merchandise selection process; work efficiently with catalog team on product information and color, and manage catalog inventory based on previous history and current trend.
E-commerce Marketing
• Assist in selecting new product for e-commerce division from retail’s assortment. Suggest category extensions / web exclusives to further growth.
• Contribute to marketing efforts for catalogs and email campaigns. Present concepts and merchandise stories that promote product assortment and drive volume.
Product Development
• Work with Designer(s) and Technical Design to manage the time line on all product development.
• Attend all fittings to ensure that sizing is standardized throughout the assortment.
Vendor Relation
• Develop effective and beneficial relationships with key vendors.
• Manage vendor performance through effective negotiation and communication to maximize profitability, achieve financial objectives and ensure optimal supply chain operations.
Communication
• Ensure that all communication (listening and directing) is conducted appropriately with the stores.
• Develop collaborative relationships with internal colleagues including: production, planning, creative, catalog, DC, Call Center and retail teams. Gain understanding of all roles and responsibilities within the organization and be flexible and cooperative in working with teams to achieve a common goal.
Qualifications
• Demonstrate an understanding of the UO target customer and the ability to select the appropriate product/trend that will appeal to the customer and meet their expectations.
• The ability to recognize a new fashion trend, item, look, fabrication, for a specific category early in its lifecycle. In addition, should be able to recognize an opportunity and be able to translate that insight into an assortment and buy.
• The ability to manage an Open-To-Buy (OTB).
• Exhibit retail math skills that allow the individual to achieve bottom line performance. This should allow them to make the switch from strategic plans to executing the plans with the appropriate assortment.
• Exhibit a professional communication style (both verbal and written) as shown through strong presentation skills, excellent organizational skills and a high sense of urgency.
• The ability to prioritize tasks in order to balance the immediate and long term needs of the business.
• The ability to work independently, self-motivated and results oriented in conjunction with the ability to lead and manage a team.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and the ability to learn new computer systems quickly and retain the information
Education
Experience
Bachelors Degree in Fashion, Business or a related field.
2 to 3 years in retail or direct buying office, or business management in a related field (wholesale or manufacturing)
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Travel
Some travel required.