Assistant Manager - Buying

Job Description

Objective:

This position is responsible for supporting the development and execution of seasonal buying strategies, assortment planning, and vendor coordination to achieve sales, margin, and brand positioning targets. The role ensures operational efficiency and cross-functional collaboration to drive profitable performance.

Key Responsibility:

Buying Strategy & Planning

• Assist in building the seasonal merchandise strategy aligned with brand identity and financial objectives.
• Contribute to the development of the assortment mix, investment plans, and seasonal phasing.
• Collaborate with senior buyers to create sourcing plans and critical path timelines.
• Support OTB (Open-to-Buy) execution and manage purchase order creation and approvals.
• Help monitor and maintain product hierarchies, category performance, and assortment balance.
  
  

Vendor Management & Negotiation

• Coordinate with suppliers for timely sample development, order placements, and delivery tracking.
• Assist in vendor negotiations for pricing, payment terms, and value-added services (e.g., marketing, training).
• Maintain strong relationships with vendor partners to ensure consistent product quality and availability.
  
  

Performance Analysis & Range Optimization

• Analyze weekly sales performance by style, category, and store cluster; recommend in-season actions.
• Track sell-through, margin, stock health, and propose markdown or replenishment strategies.
• Conduct competitive market analysis and customer insights to inform future buying decisions.
• Maintain and update TNA plans for product development and buying cycles.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Planning, Visual Merchandising, and Marketing teams to support product launches and seasonal campaigns.
• Participate in the creation of “The Look” for the season and align VM execution accordingly.
• Assist in staff product training initiatives to enhance product knowledge and conversion.
• Provide insights and data for business reviews and feedback reports for senior leadership.
  
  

Desired Experience:

• 5-7 years of experience in retail buying or merchandising, with 1–3 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Solid knowledge of assortment planning, inventory control, OTB (Open-to-Buy) tracking, and vendor coordination.
• Skilled in analyzing sales performance, identifying trends, and making data-informed purchasing decisions to support category growth.
• Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams including planning, visual merchandising, and store operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or a related discipline.