Free People Buyer - Intimates

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

12d

About The Position

The Free People Buyer is responsible for creating an exciting, timely product assortment that meets or exceeds sales volume and profit goals for assigned departments and classes. The buyer executes a merchandise strategy, responds to customer feedback and market trends, and develops action plans to grow categories and increase profitability. The role develops assortments for store and direct channels, manages inventory and product flow, identifies trends and chase opportunities, develops resources and design collaborations, negotiates pricing, and maintains a clear understanding of the customer. It also works with merchandising teams on product stories for digital and store presentations and oversees product information and private-label product development. The buyer analyzes sales velocity, attributes, returns, markdowns, inventory, and seasonal results; manages open-to-buy and profitability strategies; communicates business performance and trends; and leads, trains, and delegates work to the Buying team. The role also researches competitors, trade and trend publications, fashion shows, design fairs, art exhibitions, and other cultural influences to inform seasonal direction.

Requirements

At least 7 years of buying experience.
Creative problem-solving ability.
Entrepreneurial risk mentality.
Demonstrated ability to lead a business.
Ability to lead by example, support company initiatives, mentor others, and contribute positively.
Ability to own, articulate, and execute a clear vision.

Responsibilities

Develop compelling product assortments based on store and direct strategies to meet or exceed sales and profit goals.
Expand product lines to enhance appeal to the target market.
Analyze velocity reports and respond to current trends; ensure key fashion trends are represented and test emerging trends for selling viability.
Finalize and merchandise product assortments for all channels.
Shop domestic and international markets to fill assortment gaps, check trends, and identify chase opportunities.
Distort classifications as needed to ensure market positioning.
Manage inventory levels and flow.
Develop new resources and design collaborations, and manage artist relationships.
Negotiate pricing to achieve markup goals.
Maintain a clear vision of the store and direct customer and their needs; develop the buying team in this area.
Work with the Merchandising team to develop storylines for the website, emails, and store presentations.
Analyze velocity, attributes, and current-year/last-year results weekly; manage open-to-buy, markdowns, and inventory flow.
Analyze returns and markdowns monthly across channels and develop profitability strategies with cross-functional teams.
Conduct in-season and post-season analyses to evaluate and control the business.
Communicate current 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, contributing to improvements in efficiency, execution, brand and product positioning, timing, and quality.
Shop competitors and inspirational stores; read relevant trade, trend, and consumer publications and stay connected to industry and cultural influences.
Challenge the Buying team to interpret seasonal trends for all channels.
Lead the business, lead by example, support company initiatives, mentor others, and articulate and execute a clear vision.