lululemon Senior Buyer (12 months)

lululemon; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative performance apparel company is seeking a Senior Buyer in the Greater London area. This pivotal role involves strategic assortment planning and leading partnerships across various teams. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in retail, possess strong analytical skills, and demonstrate excellent communication. The position offers a hybrid working environment that balances remote work with in-person collaboration. Join us in creating transformational products and experiences in an inclusive and growth-focused space.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in retail in a merchant or buying role.
• Vertical retail and omni-channel experience highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel and work on the retail floor.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic assortment planning and execution for product category.
• Analyze local market knowledge and competitive landscape.
• Train, support, and develop Buyers and Assistant Buyers.

Skills

Retail mathematics expertise

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Entrepreneurial spirit

Knowledge of fashion trends

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Commerce

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

WHO WE ARE

Reporting to the Buying Manager, our Senior Buyer is responsible for the assortment, execution, and depth of the buy of their specific product category across all channels. The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading the strategic assortment planning, determining locally relevant assortments and being a competitive market expert for their particular region. This person will lead effective partnerships with Planning, In Season Country teams, Visual Merchandising, Digital, Brand and Community, and Retail Operations to deliver "right product, right stores, right time." The Senior Buyer is responsible for the development of other members of the regional buying team and creating strong relationships with our North American counterparts.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

• You contribute to the financial success of the region by meeting and exceeding sales, gross margin and inventory productivity goals through all channels (stores, ecommerce, strategic sales, & showrooms), through the effective partnership with Planning team.
• You are a "market expert" in your product category and region for all channels and can effectively communicate key data points, including merchandising strategies, athletic and fashion trends, pricing and competition that inform the global product strategy.
• Using the preliminary Global Assortment, create a compelling, locally relevant product assortment for the region's store clusters.
• You proactively gather, analyse and drive insight from local market knowledge and competitive landscape across all channels.
• You lead the quarterly product reviews ("meltdown") for your product category, delivering on timely, measureable, and actionable feedback.
• You act as the primary point of contact for product feedback from your region's product category.
• You formulate and define local pricing strategies.
• You lead the in-season management of your product category, through sales analysis, flow management, product education, chase, cancellations, markdowns and exit.
• You train, support, and develop our Buyers and Assistant Buyers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years' experience in retail in a merchant or buying role
• Bachelor's degree qualified (Business, commerce preferred)
• Vertical retail and omni channel experience highly desirable
• Mastery of retail mathematics and Open to Buy
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret multiple data points across numerous channels and market segments
• Proven ability to work with and lead a cross functional team
• Excellent sense of style and color trends; athletically minded
• Excellent communication skills - interpersonal, written and verbal
• Entrepreneurship - an ability to make decisions and take calculated risks
• Focus on creating an extraordinary guest experience, organizational and time management skills
• Strong knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Self-awareness, with a desire for constant self-improvement (goal -oriented)
• Willingness to travel and work on the retail floor

MUST HATES

• Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results.
• Communicates with honesty and kindness, and creates the space for others to do the same.
• Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
• Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
• Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn't take themselves too seriously

ROLE CLASSIFICATION

Your role is classified as Hybrid under our global SSC Hybrid Workplace Policy.

In-person collaboration is important, and much of the role can be performed remotely. Work is performed at both the SSC office and home office every week.