Assistant Buyer (Hybrid)
Hoffman Estates, IL
$60k/year
Full-time
Hybrid
1 month ago
About the role
The Assistant Buyer will be responsible for supporting the merchandising team across all aspects of the business, to curate commercial, global, trend right assortments – with a constant consideration for our customer. The Assistant Buyer will play a critical role in the detailed management of the product lifecycle process, in tracking and organizing samples, in preparing sales reports, and in supporting the daily functions of the team.
Key Responsibilities
· Support Buyer and merchandising team on all day-to-day functions for assigned category
· Own multiple administrative tasks such as: Creating and preparing reports, recaps and samples for daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal meetings; Writing, updating and tracking purchase orders; Tracking product submits and samples; Maintaining seasonal buy recaps; and other deliverables to ensure timelines are met and that all information is complete and accurate
· Manage and maintain sample process, which includes sorting styles by category and/or season on a regular basis, as well as coordinating and tracking all samples to ensure requirements are met and any product changes are communicated to the merchandise category owners and cross-functional teams prior to shipment
· Create and maintain style boards and line sheets with key product details to effectively communicate necessary information to cross-functional teams and partners
· Create and update purchase orders
· Develop and maintain cross-functional relationships with Design, Product Development, Marketing, Planning, ISP and other merchandising partners to understand and learn the seasonal buying process
· Expert in customer and global competition for assigned department, understanding other retailers’ assortments, pricing and promotional strategies in comparison to Claire’s/Icing; Reports back findings, white space opportunities, and any relevant actions
· Manage all e-mail correspondence effectively and efficiently, escalating concerns where necessary to the merchandising team
· Display financial understanding and utilization of basic retail math to help analyze your department’s business on weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis
· Own a product area to analyse and report on weekly. Providing tactical in season trading actions to drive the business forward.
· Customer and competitor awareness. Present findings and white space opportunities to keep innovating product and stay current with consumer behavior.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field
· Experience in a retail environment and/or experience in merchandise buying preferred
· Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
· Strong organizational, planning, administrative, and written and verbal communication skills
· Basic retail math skills
· Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)
Key Responsibilities
· Support Buyer and merchandising team on all day-to-day functions for assigned category
· Own multiple administrative tasks such as: Creating and preparing reports, recaps and samples for daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal meetings; Writing, updating and tracking purchase orders; Tracking product submits and samples; Maintaining seasonal buy recaps; and other deliverables to ensure timelines are met and that all information is complete and accurate
· Manage and maintain sample process, which includes sorting styles by category and/or season on a regular basis, as well as coordinating and tracking all samples to ensure requirements are met and any product changes are communicated to the merchandise category owners and cross-functional teams prior to shipment
· Create and maintain style boards and line sheets with key product details to effectively communicate necessary information to cross-functional teams and partners
· Create and update purchase orders
· Develop and maintain cross-functional relationships with Design, Product Development, Marketing, Planning, ISP and other merchandising partners to understand and learn the seasonal buying process
· Expert in customer and global competition for assigned department, understanding other retailers’ assortments, pricing and promotional strategies in comparison to Claire’s/Icing; Reports back findings, white space opportunities, and any relevant actions
· Manage all e-mail correspondence effectively and efficiently, escalating concerns where necessary to the merchandising team
· Display financial understanding and utilization of basic retail math to help analyze your department’s business on weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis
· Own a product area to analyse and report on weekly. Providing tactical in season trading actions to drive the business forward.
· Customer and competitor awareness. Present findings and white space opportunities to keep innovating product and stay current with consumer behavior.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field
· Experience in a retail environment and/or experience in merchandise buying preferred
· Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
· Strong organizational, planning, administrative, and written and verbal communication skills
· Basic retail math skills
· Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)
Skills
Retail