Buying Assistant - Ralph Lauren

About the Role

We are looking for a Buying Assistant to support the buying team in managing daily operations efficiently. The role involves assisting with purchase and sales orders, markdowns, VIP customer special orders, damage and stock management, and compiling reports and presentations. You will also track deliveries to ensure timely stock receipt.

Key Responsibilities

• Pre-Buying: Consolidate and revise pre-buying reports to ensure data accuracy; understand sales targets and budgets specific to shops and countries; analyze market data including sales turnover, best sellers, slow movers, trends, shop location, and customer target.
• Buying: Assist in maintaining accurate Open to Buy documents; support buyers in supplier meetings and product selection, considering budgets, fashion trends, culture, and gender.
• Post-Buying: Analyze discrepancies between pre-buy and actual merchandise purchased; prepare management and training presentations; provide brand recommendations; create detailed product presentations including images, references, size breakdown, fabrication, and reasoning.
• Stock Management and Sell Through: Collaborate with analysts to monitor sell-through rates versus budget; ensure precise product allocation; facilitate inter-store transfers to maximize sell-through; manage stock reallocation based on demand and regional performance; coordinate with retail and warehouse teams for timely transfers; track key product stock levels; proactively report fast-selling items at risk of stockouts; assist in recovery planning; develop a comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle.
• Supplier Management: Maintain positive vendor relationships; monitor shipments until shop receipt; identify and escalate shipping delays.
• Budget Management: Contribute accurate data for budget preparation.
• Reporting: Deliver weekly and monthly reports; manage order entries in the system; provide insights for assortment planning locally and regionally; prepare bi-weekly seasonal sell-through reports; communicate regularly with regional merchandising and commercial teams.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or relevant discipline.
• A minimum of three years experience in a similar fashion buying role.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Fluent in English language.
• Logical and data-driven approach to challenges.
• Keen attention to detail with strong analytical skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced work environment.