AG Jeans is a pioneer and industry leader in the premium denim industry. It is a vertically integrated company committed to making a difference and pursuing socially active and responsible alternatives through the manufacturing process. Rooted in denim, AG Jeans has grown to be recognized as a contemporary lifestyle brand encompassing a full range of premium apparel and accessories.

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for developing merchandising solutions that will represent the brand and drive revenues within our full-price retail Stores as well as Online channels. The role consistently focuses on being an effective and efficient merchant while being a strong partner and supporting all brand initiatives. This role will lead the inventory management responsibilities within the DTC Channels (Physical Retail Locations and Online). The Buyer/Planner will apply strong analytics and financial acumen that support Revenue Growth, Profitability, and Brand Objectives.

This position reports to the Head of Retail.

Buying Responsibilities:

• Create merchandise assortments in accordance with financial goals that will drive revenues and best reflect brand initiatives.
• Analyze merchandise reports on an annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly basis to assess and act on opportunities in the business in-season and future seasons and share knowledge with cross-functional teams.
• Have a strong eye for fashion trends, brand knowledge, market research and integrate knowledge into actionable recommendations for the business.
• Partner with visual merchandising, online merchandising, marketing, store allocation, and photo studio stylists to deliver the best-in-market business strategy/execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, such as merchandising and design teams, to communicate quantitative and qualitative feedback that will ensure brand and business growth.
• Partner with store locations to identify the specific needs of that market/consumer base.
• Create and deliver effective product knowledge to store teams.

Planning Responsibilities:

• Manage Open to Buy (creating category plans and actualizing)
• Develop seasonal financial merchandise plans at the category and product level that align to company sales, inventory, turn, and profit targets
• Partner with the Director of Retail and E-Commerce to forecast monthly topline plans.
• Actualize topline performance by channel and by store
• Maintain communication with field management and stores to action through inventory challenges at the store level and action accordingly.
• Partner with and develop the Assistant Merchandise Planner on initial distribution and replenishment strategies with retail stores.
• Partner with the Outlet Business Manager and Store teams on transferring products between full-price to outlet stores at the end of the season
• Partner with appropriate teams on the promotional calendar and product lifecycle
• Manage core/carryover replenishment business.

Requirements:

• College education required
• Minimum 4+ years of Buying/Planning Experience with an emphasis in apparel within Luxury and/or Contemporary environment(s). Denim experience preferred
• Excellent communication and training skills
• Well versed in retail math
• Superior knowledge of fashion trends and fabrics
• Ability to organize, prioritize, delegate, and follow up on projects
• Must have the ability to make inferences by combining quantitative and qualitative data
• Experience with Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to work daytime, evenings, and weekends.
• Travel (approximately +10%).