Urban Outfitters Established Buyer, Women's Accessories (12 Month FTC)

About Us

Urban Outfitters started out as a single boutique in 1970s Philadelphia with creativity and uniqueness at its core. 50 years on, and over 60 stores across Europe later, we’ve become a destination for emerging design, unexpected styling, One-Of-A-Kind vintage and homeware that makes you want to hit the share button.  

  

We speak to a social community of over 10 million forward-thinking individuals, bringing together a nostalgia for the past with an enthusiasm to shape the future. The UO community are culturally aware, they shape the music scene, they live a digitally native life and they wear style trends before anyone else. At our core, we empower our customers and staff to express themselves, unapologetically, living life in a way that's truly authentic to them. 

  

We are always excited to bring new talent into the room, especially if you share our values: 

  

Progressive — we move with the mood Creative — we champion limitless minds Inclusive — we open our platforms to all communities Responsible — we work to reduce our impact on the environment Compassionate — we care for each other beyond the 9 to 5 

  

Sound like you, why not join us? 

Role Summary

As an Established Buyer for Women's Accessories at Urban Outfitters, you'll bring an entrepreneurial mindset and take ownership of our hats, scarves, jewellery, socks, hair, sunglasses and belts offer, setting the category strategy and keeping it fresh, on-trend, and aligned with what our customers love.

You'll be accountable for range strategy ensuring we're offering a mix of products that sell well and reflect the Urban Outfitters aesthetic, while providing leadership, mentoring and development to junior members of the buying team.

You'll report into the Buying Director – Non-Clothing and work collaboratively with the Men's Accessories team on the categories we buy cross-divisionally, such as branded caps. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

What You'll Be Doing

• Demonstrate a fresh perspective to deliver a market leading accessories offer both online and across retail territories.
• Own the category strategy, creating balanced ranges both emerging and relevant to the UO customer, focusing on quality, value, and key volume.
• Collaborate across functions to ensure complete delivery of concept to customer.
• Work collaboratively with the Men's Accessories team on the categories we buy cross-divisionally (for example, branded caps), to maximise opportunity and avoid duplication.
• Work closely with global partners to leverage all opportunities.
• Strong ability to trade and deliver in-season, as well as longer lead strategic initiatives.
• Maintain excellent supplier relationships, identify gaps in sourcing and develop new relationships to support.
• Drive individual, departmental, and total business goals through seasonal initiatives.
• Own and present strategy, ideas and concepts to senior management.
• Provide leadership to employees and to peers and foster an open environment of continual training and development.
• Manage, mentor and develop a Buyer/Assistant Buyer within the team, setting clear objectives and supporting their growth.
• Work together with Planners/Merchandisers to develop effective line plans.
• Manage the Open to Buy (OTB) plan, knowing when to change the OTB based on business needs.
• Analyse the business and react with timely reorders and cancellations.
• Maximise margin opportunities and reduce markdown.
• Understand seasonality and manage critical path accordingly.
• Liaise with PR, Marketing, Web, Visual Merchandising and Retail Operations teams to ensure that sales are maximised, and the department reaches its full potential.
• Lead and deliver departmental sustainability goals.
• Represent the brand with integrity and authority, being a true brand ambassador for the business.

What You'll Need

 

• Proven Senior Buying/Product Development experience, ideally within Accessories, and a strong market awareness exhibited through knowledge of relevant brands and reference points.
• Entrepreneurial in spirit, with a strong understanding of the Urban Outfitters brand and customer.
• The ability to identify emerging trends early on and interpret them in a commercial yet exciting way, curating an innovative and relevant product assortment.
• Experience managing OTB and sales analysis to drive profitability while maintaining brand identity.
• Clear communicator with the ability to present and support a point of view, and confidently present strategies to senior stakeholders.
• A team player with the ability to provide leadership, training and motivation to employees and peers, including proven experience managing and developing a Buyer/Assistant Buyer.
• Management and Leadership experience.
• Passion for trend-led product development, working with vendors to create fresh, unique, and first-to-market styles that resonate with the Urban Outfitters customer.
• Commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, ensuring responsible sourcing and a progressive product mix.
• Skilled in negotiation and vendor management, sourcing new partners, and securing the best quality, pricing, and exclusivity.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, reactive environment, responding quickly to market shifts and travelling internationally as needed.
• A collaborative approach, comfortable working with the Men's Accessories team on categories that are bought cross-divisionally.
• Experience of, or good knowledge of, the branded accessories market is beneficial.

The Perks

• Work-life balance:

-Flexible start and finish times

-Bring your dog to work

• Wellbeing:

-Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health

-Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships

-Private Medical Insurance

• Employee Discount:

-Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands 

• Community:

-One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice

• Travel:

 -Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan

• Continued Development:

-We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development

Equal Opportunity Statement

URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.