Assistant Buyer

Ralph Lauren; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion brand is seeking an Assistant Buyer for their Womenswear Polo Wholesale team based in London. This 9-month temporary contract will involve supporting the buying team by managing data and assisting in operational tasks to achieve financial objectives. The ideal candidate should have a keen interest in the premium apparel market, be detail-oriented, and possess strong analytical and Microsoft Excel skills. You'll be integral in ensuring the buying process flows smoothly from start to finish.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of premium apparel market trends.
• Ability to demonstrate logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in managing multiple tasks efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Support the buying team with data integrity and management tasks.
• Conduct research on market trends and competitive pricing.
• Assist in preparing documents for major buying meetings.

Skills

Attention to detail

Retail mathematics aptitude

Analytical skills

Microsoft Excel

Problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Job description

Position Overview

We are offering a 9-month temporary contract for an Assistant Buyer on our Womenswear Polo Wholesale team. This role will be based at our Ralph Lauren Head office located in New Bond Street, London. The successful candidate will provide integral operational support to the buying team, to ensure we achieve our department financial plans, and our seasonal strategies are realized from inception all the way to implementation in store. The candidate should have an interest in product within the premium apparel market and be keen to understand the end-to-end buying process within Ralph Lauren.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Meticulous data integrity and management of daily, weekly, and seasonal buying responsibilities; sample management, pricing, assortment updates, and general admin support.
• Ability to navigate required tools and systems, as well as troubleshoot any issues and identify better ways of working to improve efficiency.
• Demonstrate and communicate awareness of retail landscape; conduct research on competitive set including pricing, style, and key messages and translate findings into actions.
• Support in preparing necessary documents and resources for major calendar meetings, including Hindsight, Strategic Summit, Sign Off & Line Opening meetings.
• Agile Outlook and email management to maintain department critical path.
• Able to analyse business reports with support from manager to broaden knowledge. Develop the ability to draw top line conclusions and actions from analysis to influence future buys.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Awareness of product trends and current state of market.
• Good understanding of Ralph Lauren as a brand within the market.
• Commercial and Analytical.
• Able to demonstrate logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Able to work on own initiative and be pro‑active.
• Able to organise, prioritise tasks and manage time well to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates good listening, written and oral communication skills, effectively and clearly communicates.
• Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
• Strong Microsoft application skills, particularly Excel.
• Show ability or aptitude in retail mathematics and able to learn technical applications quickly.
• Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.