Urban Outfitters Temporary Buyer

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Urban Outfitters is seeking a Temporary Buyer in Women's Pants. The Buyer creates a timely, compelling product assortment intended to meet or exceed sales and profit goals for assigned departments and classes. The role executes merchandise strategies, responds to customer feedback and market trends, and develops plans to grow category sales and profitability. The Buyer develops assortments for stores and direct channels, manages inventory and product flow, identifies emerging trends and selling opportunities, and negotiates pricing to meet markup goals. The position also develops resources and design collaborations, maintains a clear understanding of the customer, and works with merchandising partners to create product stories for digital and store presentations. The role monitors business performance through regular analysis of sales velocity, product attributes, returns, markdowns, and inventory. It collaborates with cross-functional teams on business strategies, communicates performance and opportunities, and manages merchandising calendars and the daily work of the Buying team, including sample management, product information, training, and delegation. The Buyer oversees product information and private-label product development, and contributes to improvements in execution, efficiency, product positioning, timing, and quality. The role stays informed about competition, trade and consumer publications, fashion shows, design fairs, art exhibitions, and other cultural influences, and guides the Buying team in interpreting seasonal trends across channels.

Requirements

At least 5 years of buying experience.
Entrepreneurial risk mentality.
Demonstrated ability to lead a business.
Ability to own, articulate, and execute a clear vision.

Nice To Haves

Buying experience in pants and/or denim is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop compelling product assortments based on store and direct strategies to meet or exceed sales and profit goals.
Expand product lines to strengthen appeal to the target market.
Analyze velocity reports and respond to trends; ensure key fashion trends are represented and test emerging trends for selling viability.
Finalize plans and merchandise product assortments across all channels.
Shop domestic and international markets to fill assortment gaps, monitor trends, and identify chase opportunities.
Adjust classifications to ensure appropriate market positioning.
Manage inventory levels and product flow.
Develop new resources and design collaborations, and manage artist relationships.
Negotiate prices to achieve markup goals.
Maintain a clear understanding of store and direct customers and their needs, and develop the buying team.
Work with the Merchandising team to create storylines for the website, emails, and store presentations.
Analyze velocity, attributes, and current-year/prior-year performance weekly; manage OTB, markdowns, and inventory flow.
Analyze channel returns and markdowns monthly and develop profitability strategies.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on new and evolving strategies.
Conduct in-season and post-season analyses to evaluate and control the business.
Communicate trends, opportunities, successes, and failures at best/worst meetings.
Maintain the merchandising calendar relevant to Home.
Manage the Buying team's daily sample management and collection of product information for style-outs, meetings, and photo shoots.
Train, manage, and delegate daily activities to the Buying team.
Oversee product information before turnover and develop storylines to increase productivity across channels.
Drive and understand the private-label product development process.
Contribute to continuous improvement in efficiency, execution, brand and product positioning, timing, and quality.
Shop competitors and inspirational stores, and review relevant trade, trend, and consumer publications.
Stay connected to industry trends, fashion shows, design fairs, art exhibitions, and other influential cultural events.
Challenge the Buying team to interpret seasonal trends for all channels.
Lead by example, support company initiatives, mentor others, and contribute solutions.