Ralph Lauren Assistant Buyer

Ralph Lauren; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 223,200 - 334,800; Full time

Job summary

A global fashion brand in Hong Kong is looking for a Retail Merchandising Associate to support the development and execution of seasonal buy strategies. Candidates should have 1+ years of retail merchandising experience and strong analytical skills. Proficiency in English, Cantonese and Mandarin is essential. The successful candidate will communicate with various teams and manage relationships with key business partners, ensuring timely delivery of products and execution of sales strategies.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of retail merchandising buying related experience.
• Strong analytical skills to identify commercial opportunities.
• Ability to operate independently while meeting business goals.

Responsibilities

• Support range development with financial targets.
• Ensure timely execution of the buy.
• Manage business seasonally in collaboration with planning.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organization

Communication skills in English

Communication skills in Cantonese

Communication skills in Mandarin

Proficiency in Excel

Solution-oriented mindset

Curiosity

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Support the development of the range within brand DNA and financial target:
   • Analyze past sales to support the development of the new season strategy
   • Work with the division manager to determine the optimum way to invest OTB by class
   • Build the range based on the past season best seller, full price trends & regional needs
   • Identify new opportunities and work with the Corporate merchandising & sourcing to include the new product in the range
   • Work closely with the US & the EU teams to leverage on their buying strategy and their experience
   • Present the range to the management to validate the buy
   • Post-buy, develop and present a seasonal hand‑off to communicate the seasonal strategy to the retail and visual merchandising team
2. Ensure smooth and timely execution of the buy:
   • Upon range confirmation take the lead on buy execution
   • Determine pricing based on full‑price pricing structure
   • Analyze and determine size curve by market
   • Ensure orders are placed accurately and on time
   • Manage relationship with the sourcing department
3. Manage business in season in collaboration with planning & allocation:
   • Track receipt to ensure that seasonal deliveries will arrive in the store on time
   • Produce and analyze selling reports and provide markdown recommendations
   • Present a business summary on a weekly basis to the Buying and Planning management to discuss key business highlights, risks and opportunities, product best and worst performance and propose any required action
   • Work with key partners to ensure the execution of the sales strategy
   • Work closely with the retail team to understand business trends and customer expectations
   • Collaborate with visual merchandising team to build seasonal guidelines and ensure that the assortment is present on the floor as planned
   • Work closely with planning team to build seasonal strategy, invest OTB and determine markdown and promotional strategy
   • Communicate with allocation to ensure assortment is delivered on time and that key items are always on the floor with sufficient depth

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• 1+ years retail merchandising buying related experience
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify commercial opportunities based on analysis produced
• Highly organized and the ability to prioritize team work schedule based on broader business requirements
• Curious, willing to develop and solution‑oriented
• Computer proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Good communication skills in English both upwards to Senior Management and laterally to business partners both internal and external
• Remain driven when faced with challenging trading positions and/or directives from senior management
• To demonstrate an ability to operate independently within set business goals, working closely with senior business partners
• Proficient communication skills in English, Cantonese and Mandarin (written and verbal)