Buying Assistant - Ralph Lauren

Etoile Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Etoile Group is seeking a Buying Assistant in Dubai to support the buying team in day-to-day operations, including purchase orders, stock management, and reporting. You will assist with pre-buying analysis, vendor communications, and presentations for management reviews.

Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years in fashion buying, strong Excel skills, and fluent English, enabling proactive data-driven decisions in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing or related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Must have fashion buying experience.
• Fluency in English is a must.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage purchase and sales orders, markdowns, and stock takes.
• Prepare presentations with documents and data; run regular sales and ad hoc reports.
• Track deliveries to ensure stock arrives on time.
• Support buying team in supplier meetings and merchandise selection.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate inter-store transfers to maximise sell-through.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration / Marketing

Tools

Excel

Job description

Our Buying Assistant will support the buying team to ensure the smooth day to day running of operations.

Act as a key support for the buying team, ensuring the smooth day to day running of the buying team function. Create and manage purchase or sales orders, markdowns in the system, sales preparations, VIP customer special orders, and assist with damages and stock takes. Compile presentations including documents and data. Run regular sales reports and other adhoc reports. Track deliveries to ensure stock is received at the right time.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Buying:

• Consolidate pre-buying reports and drive initial revision to ensure accuracy of data.
• Build knowledge of given sales target/budget for specific shop/ country.
• Analyze specific country/shop market data regarding:
• Best Sellers
• Slow Movers
• Trends in Country
• Shop location & targeted customer
• Stock Coverage

Buying

• Contribute to building and maintaining an accurate Open to Buy (OTB) template/document.
• Support Buyers on meetings with suppliers & participate on selection of the merchandise.
• Consider pre-buying analysis, budgets, fashion trends, culture and gender prior to buying.

Post-Buying

• Build analysis of Pre-buy vs Actual bought merchandise.
• Informational purposes for management (regional & country).
• Training purposes for shops & shop staff.
• Present key brand recommendations.
• Build a presentation of specific products to ensure accuracy:
• Images
• Reference
• Size break down
• Fabrication
• Reasoning

Stock Management/Overall Sell Through

• Work together with Analysts to monitor the sell-through rate up to budgeted sell trough (in terms of value vs seasonal merchandise).
• Ensure initial product allocation is executed accurately
• Proactively initiate inter-store transfers to maximize full-price sell-through and prevent lost sales.
• Reallocate merchandise based on demand, sell-through trends, and regional performance.Coordinate with retail and warehouse teams to execute timely stock transfers.
• Track key products and core lines to ensure optimal stock availability across stores.
• Proactively highlight fast-selling styles at risk of running out of stock.
• Collaborate with Analysts for recovery plan if required.
• Build a sound understanding of the product lifecycle.
• Build & maintain vendor relationship in a win/win measurement.
• Monitor merchandise shipment up to shop reception.
• Highlight potential delays and escape risks proactively.

Budget Management

• Provide accurate input for budget preparation.

Reporting

• Provide weekly and monthly reports.
• Insert order in the system.
• Provide Insight for assortment plan for local and regional stores.
• Provide monthly report to regional merchandiser team and commercial team.
• Prepare the bi-weekly seasonal sell through report

Your Profile:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing or any relevant field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Must have fashion buying experience.
• Must be proficient in Excel.
• Fluency in English is a must.
• The ability to approach data and situations logically.
• Analytical, attention for details and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.