What are the responsibilities and job description for the Urban Outfitters Buyer - Dresses position at URBN?
Title: Urban Outfitters Dress Buyer
Reports to: Merchandising Manager, Soft Wovens
Objective: To deliver the sales and profit plan for Dresses 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:
ASSORTMENT EXECUTION
- Build an assortment that is brand appropriate
- Create a balanced assortment in terms of: fashion vision, quality, fit, value, price point, style/SKU count and key item depth
- Continually create newness in concepts to add freshness to the assortment
- Edit to appropriate blend of private label and branded product
- Suggest category extensions / web exclusives to further growth
- Support online expansion and testing opportunities
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
- Build a relationship with the Design team that fosters development of innovative, relevant and fashion-forward designs
- Build a relationship with the Production team that takes into consideration manufacturing limitations, yet pushes our expectations of quality, lead time and price/value
- Demonstrate understanding of industry trends and apply them to the product development process to create a plethora of web expansion styles
- Generate appropriate quantity and quality of innovative and creative idea
MARKET SKILLS AND AWARENESS
- Represent the brand with integrity and authority
- Build a relationship with the market that results in a differentiated product mix
- “Sell” the brand and attract suppliers and new brands to Urban’s mix
- Exhibit market awareness through knowledge of relevant brands and reference points
- Negotiate price, delivery, exclusivity, and terms to support business objectives
PLANNING
- Manage the Open to Buy (OTB) plan by utilizing flow sheets and item plans, and know when to change the OTB based on business needs
- Analyze the business and react with timely reorders and cancellations
- Maximize markdown dollars and understand seasonality
COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP
- Communicate clearly, concisely, timely and professionally
- Listen to others; be a team player and a healthy competitor
- Keep individual, division, and total company goals in mind when making decisions
- Be decisive and support decisions with facts and analysis
- Provide leadership to employees and to peers and fosters an environment of continual training and development
- Support the recruiting efforts of the brand by bringing in new talent and selling the company to those we wish to attract
Education Requirement: Bachelors Degree
Experience Requirement:
- 5 years of progressive buying experience with a retailer
- Experience managing Assistant and Associate Buyers
- Product Development Experience in a fashion apparel category
Urban Outfitters, Inc. celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.
