ROLE OVERVIEWThe Vice President of Buying will set the overall strategy and merchandise direction for the category. You will develop the buying and selling strategies that will maximize the Company's performance and profitability. You will determine the product lines and merchandise to be sold in the category online and in-stores.
Working with multiple departments across the organization, you will influence product marketing strategies, create market penetration strategies for the overall category, and manage the overall relationship with the Company's network of vendors. Your role is essential to ensuring our customers have a premium selection of apparel across our women's category.
To be successful in this role, you must be able to keep pace in a highly fluid, ever-changing, collaborative workplace. You must also have excellent communication skills in order to engage the attention of our experienced leadership team and influence|respond to complexities with a high level of technical acumen.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Build seasonal assortments covering all channel needs
- Develop seasonal merchandising initiatives and strategies to drive growth and brand positioning
- Manage all key milestones from adoption meetings to assortment plan and line finalization
- Provide market and trend research to Leadership product trends and opportunities
- Manage and execute key metrics including: Act as product|market expert on competition and industry trends; works closely with cross-functional teams to translate knowledge into innovative, relevant business opportunities:
- Margin
- Delivery
- Assortment plan
- SKU plan
- Fabric
- Oversee assortment SKU plans and final product selection for the division, ensuring costing goals are met while maximizing brand positioning
- Work closely with eCommerce and Creative teams to strategize initiatives and marketing campaigns
- Ensure the department is organized and staffed to meet the objectives of the division
- Manage career paths, development and succession plans of the team
ROLE REQUIREMENTS- Fifteen plus years of experience across Buying/Merchandising
- Seven plus years of experience overseeing both the creative and financial aspects of merchandising
- Five plus years of experience leading, coaching, and mentoring teams
- Experience in product development, trend forecasting, and have a deep knowledge of product design, fabrics, and colors
- Strong background concept research
- Knowledgeable about fabrics: drape, appropriate use, quality
- Strong understanding of garment construction
- Must have experience with fittings
- Experience working with domestic and overseas factories|suppliers is beneficial
- Appetite for design influences
- Strong eye for both elevated design and ability to judge overall assortment balance
- Demonstrate strong ownership of one's own categories
- Commercial acumen and desire to read and understand sales reports
- Customer-focused and data driven
- Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate confidently at all levels
- Ability to work under pressure and with strong personalities
- Awareness of the financial performance of the business and be motivated to grow it
- Good teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Be customer focused and interested in reacting and chasing to what is selling well
- BFA|BA in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or related field, or equivalent work experience
- English, additional language(s) an advantage
- Schedule of this position: Monday - Friday | Core business hours | Onsite
BENEFITS- NEW state-of-the-art HQ upcoming in 2025!
- Formalized career paths for continued professional growth
- Comprehensive health insurance across Medical, Dental and Vision
- 401k match, with immediate vesting upon eligibility
- Weekly catered lunches & fully-stock kitchen pantry!
- Opportunities to travel for trade shows and vendor meetings
- Summer Fridays Early Departure
- Team bonding events and programs
- Attractive employee discounts!
