Anthropologie Buyer - Special Projects

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Anthropologie is looking for a Buyer of special projects. The Buyer of special projects will have a range of responsibilities supporting specialized store groups within the Anthropologie fleet. They will be responsible for curating store assortments for new store openings, warm weather locations, small square footage stores and other identified store groups that may be needed. They will work with category buyers to influence and select compelling product assortments that meets the needs of each store location, while meeting or exceeding sales volume and profit goals. They are to execute the vision of the MM / Leadership and intuitively respond to field leadership feedback, customer feedback, market trends and sales performance. The Buyer is responsible for the success of their business unit and is expected to use their fashion intuition to direct the assortment.

Requirements

Minimum 6-8 years of buying experience with a retailer.
Experience managing a team.
An understanding of the customer’s wants and needs and the ability to identify the appropriate product/trend that will appeal to the customer and exceed their expectations.
The ability to conceptually plan assortments that meet financial objectives.
The ability to prioritize tasks and the ability to balance the immediate and long term needs of the business.
The ability to collect, assimilate, analyze, package and present information to the CEO, General Merchandise Manager and Divisional Merchandise Manager in a way that permits them to make an informed decision and take measurable action.
The ability to recognize a new fashion trend, item, look, fabrication, early in its lifecycle
Use creative thinking as an asset in recognizing and managing in changing paradigms.
An understanding of the Anthropologie customer and the shopping experience. The buyer has to possess the ability to identify, gather and assimilate information specific to our customer.
The ability to make the transition from strategic (conceptual and planning) to execution. Financial acumen and the ability to manipulate numbers are critical in achieving the tactical objectives.
Leadership skills to build and develop a proficient team of individuals that share a common vision and understanding of the Company.
The ability to develop partnerships with other Buyers, Directors and Department heads.

Nice To Haves

Four-year degree in Fashion or Business preferred.

Responsibilities

Analyze weekly and monthly sales, stock and on-order with the goal of optimizing sales and minimizing markdowns.
Manage the OTB and partner with the MM / Planning and Allocation Team to adjust where necessary to ensure that sales and margin are optimized by class.
Curate monthly assortment for each store segment.
Focus on local distortions based on store type.
Partner with allocation and space planning to ensure product alignment with stores needs and nuances.
Manage styles to the plan, ensuring that each item is a winner and that the assortment is properly balanced across looks, silhouettes, fabrics, patterns, color, price points, etc., taking the correct inventory position with key items and fringe and/or newness.
Work with buyers to relay product opportunities and optimizations for their respective category, within each store segment.
Work closely with field leadership and regularly visit stores to apply feedback to monthly assortment.
Work with the MM, DMM, GMM, CEO and team on a regular, formalized basis to ensure the unity and appropriateness of the assortments.