Buyer - Global Buying

POSITION TITLE: Buyer - Global Buying

REPORTS TO: Director of Buying, License & Key Accounts

BASED IN: New York

Summary

Leads the creation of a commercially viable assortment for AE and Aerie brands for designated Franchise Account, meeting the competitive and commercial needs of the assigned market. Leads in in-season and future assortment strategy discussions with knowledge of their Account and maintains strong partnerships with the cross functional team.

Responsibilities

• Understands weekly/monthly business trends and utilizes this in conjunction with geo expertise to influence seasonal roadmap
• Direct and drive seasonal buy conversations during International Market through business and geography expertise
• Collaboratively works with the AEO and/or Aerie cross functional team to understand seasonal design direction, leading product ideas, and trend
• Understands regional business trends with the support of the partner Buying teams to ensure key business drivers are available to support the business
• Align on key looks & influence partners for global adoption
• Reports on the business through bi-weekly business analysis and recaps. Makes recommendations to our Franchise partners due to changes in trend and business in order to maximize sales/margin opportunities
• In partnership with Global Merchandising, be informed on full product detail (incl. fit, fabric, price, costing, and omni strategy) and able to share with partners as necessary
• Ensure product assortment is commercially viable and aligned with AEO Brands’ seasonal vision
• In-Season: Product changes communicated to all partners by Global Product Operations; which includes chase additions, drops, style and/or color changes, etc. Buyer responsible for working with partners to determine replacements, re-flow strategy, or adjustments as necessary.
• Conduct pre-market alignment calls with partners to share assortment direction, gather feedback, and collect projections for any required programs to secure fabric and/or capacity
• Understand climate requirements by market, such as reverse seasonality, and build into the strategy
• Continued innovation in the buying experience
• Supports Director in identification of gaps within the existing assortment architecture and pricing strategy utilizing competitive analysis and resources
• Collaborate with Business Manager and Franchise partners to brief programs for peak international business opportunities by market, ex: CNY, Passover, Ramadan
• Communication of assortment strategy to International partners at all points within the season:
• Pre-Season: Roadmap direction, cc counts by category, grow/maintain/decline categories, US financials (where appropriate) in conjunction with milestone meetings
• Partners with the Director and Business Manager to ensure product strategies are in line with overall business strategy.
• Clear understanding of AEO market presence globally through market visits and/or Edited Analysis, understanding of international competition and pricing architecture
• Partner with Visual team to build and review Laydown documents depending on partner
• Identifies key item opportunities to grow the business through product testing and hindsight
• Drive segmentation strategies with partners to ensure markets have the right product, in the right place, at the right time across stores & digital
• Responsible for communicating upcoming calendar and buying deliverables to franchise partners; including hindsights, roadmaps, product alignments, market weeks, and remote bookings
• Innovate through trend ideas which allow AEO to lead and compete within the global market
• In partnership with International VM, mapping will be provided for small/mid/large format locations to ensure ideas are intact as presented

Key Accountabilities

• Receipt management
• Margin performance (COO & franchise where possible)
• Product mix in key brand growth departments: jeans & bras.
• Total sales

Authority

• Supervises Assistant Buyer
• Builds, develops, coaches, and mentors talent within the team, to drive a high-performance organization that fully supports the international vision of growth

Qualifications

• Experience working with large/sophisticated/complex franchised, licensed, or JV partners is required.
• Excellent analytical and creative skills to challenge the planning and design sides of the organization, successfully work with License partners’ creative and analytical teams.
• Opportunity for International travel
• 2+ years of experience in a leadership role
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team. Comfortable and effective when working with senior executives, including C-level. Ability to work with and influence peers, franchise partners, and senior management
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting
• Impeccable verbal/written communication and persuasion skills; proven ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• 5-7 years prior buying experience from a specialty retailer
• Demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy (coolness and composure under strain, confidence without arrogance)
• Strong business acumen and strategic agility; demonstrated ability to immediately identify areas of the business that need attention as well as areas that do not; proven ability to support growth in a very fast growing and evolving business environment.
• Understanding of fashion designer labels and how to interpret their seasonal stories/messages for the AE & Aerie customer both domestically and internationally. Keen sense of fashion exhibited through personal taste
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent required
• Experience leading teams in multi-store/multi-channel/specialty retail brands is required, with working outside of the United States a strong plus
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications. Experience working with NuOrder or another Assortment Planning Tool is an asset. Familiarity with Edited is a plus
• Ability to work outside of standard U.S. business hours is required

Pay/Benefits Information

• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please click here .
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.

About Us

American Eagle - We're an American jeans and apparel brand that's true in everything we do. Rooted in authenticity, powered by positivity, and inspired by our community – we welcome all and believe that putting on a really great pair of #AEjeans gives you the freedom to be true to you. Because when you're at your best, you put good vibes out there, and get good things back in return. AE. True to you.

American Eagle Outfitters® (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands.

The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 24 countries.

AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of the individual's race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to all AEO activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law.

JOB INFO

Job Identification 233

Job Category : Merchandising

Posting Date : 2023-08-30T12:56:24+00:00

Job Schedule : Full time

Locations : New York, NY, United States