Assistant Buyer

Free People is looking for an Assistant Buyer who is responsible for working with the Buyer to create an exciting and timely product assortment that meets or exceeds the sales volume and profits for their department.

Job Skills

• Demonstrate an understanding of the target customer and the ability to select the appropriate product/trend that will appeal to the customer and meet their expectations.
• Fundamental understanding of the statistical components of the business (IMU%, MD%, GM%, selloff, WOS, etc.) and the OTB.
• Exhibit a professional communication style (both verbal and written) as shown through strong presentation skills, excellent organizational skills and a high sense of urgency.
• The ability to prioritize tasks in order to balance the immediate and long term needs of the business with a high sense of urgency.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and the ability to learn new computer systems quickly and retain the information.

Assortment Execution

• The Assistant Buyer works with the Buyer to determine the overall mix of product for each buying area to ensure that the final mix is ultimately customer oriented and curated to achieve a set profit plan.
• Assistant Buyers should give feedback regularly on the product in all styleout and product related meetings.
• Eagerness to contribute to product development heavy classes by collaborating with buyer and vendor partners

Organizational Support

• Provide ad hoc statistical reports to Buyers upon request.
• Help to maintain accurate Buy Sheets by class.
• Maintain some excel reports for buyers and planners as needed.
• Take photos of samples when needed and maintain photo logs or libraries of samples.

Sample Management

• Manage the samples within the Department.
• Obtain samples from vendors for all product meetings and manage the safe return of all samples.
• Ensure that all "kept" samples are neatly organized by classification and by season.
• Regularly clear out old samples and maintain tidy sample area.
• Manage photo handover weekly where new product gets shot for the web.

Communication

• Speak clearly in all meetings and email correspondence
• Ensure all written documents (including email) are grammatically correct.
• Represent and confidently speak about the UO brand and customer to all outward facing market vendors
• Manage large magnitude of email streams across a diverse vendor database and in turn, be able to communicate and give updates to manager regarding vendor feedback
• Develop collaborative relationships with internal and external colleagues including: planning, creative, DC etc.
• Gain understanding of all roles and responsibilities within the organization and be flexible and cooperative in working with teams to achieve a common goal.

#LI-ME1

• Minimum of two years of experience in retail buying or a similar capacity
• Ability to build and maintain productive partnerships and demonstrate strong listening, oral, and written communication skills
• Strong organization and prioritizing skills
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Detail oriented
• Creative thinker
• Team player
• Proficient in Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more For additional information visit

URBN 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.