Associate Buyer

SHEIN U.S.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Account with Employer F

Flexible Spending Accounts

Company-Paid Life/AD&D insurance

Short-Term/Long-Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan with company match

Vacation, holidays, sick days

Free weekly catered lunch

Dog-friendly office

Free gym access

Annual Holiday Party

Job summary

SHEIN U.S. is seeking a full-time Associate Buyer for our Los Angeles office. This role will own the end-to-end sample lifecycle, assist with product styling and outfit coordination, and manage new item launches and linking.

You will support photoshoots, data accuracy, and launch readiness in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has 1–3+ years in retail or merchandising and a degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field, with strong Excel and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• 1–3+ years in retail, merchandising, product development or production support.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist the end-to-end sample lifecycle, styling, and outfit coordination.
• Prepare photoshoot presentations with lists and outfits for review.
• Coordinate with Creative and Studio teams to schedule and prep photoshoots.
• Ensure samples are organized, labeled, and ready for shoots.
• Maintain launch trackers and communicate delays or issues.

Skills

Merchandising

Fashion trend awareness

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Shared drive management

Job description

SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering SHEIN branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, with more than 15,000 employees operating from offices around the world, SHEIN is committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, promoting its industry-leading, on-demand production methodology, for a smarter, future-ready industry.

Position Summary

We’re seeking a full-time Associate Buyer for our Los Angeles-based corporate office. This position offers immense flexibility and excellent long-term growth potential. The ideal candidate will be trained from the ground up on core merchandising and visual workflows. They will own the end-to-end sample lifecycle, assist with product styling and outfit coordination, build photoshoot presentations, and manage new item launch linking systems. This role serves as a dynamic operational backbone, absorbing administrative and logistical workflows to ensure product readiness, data accuracy, and visually compelling launches.

Job Responsibilities

Styling & Photoshoot Support

• Trend & Styling Alignment: Assist the senior buyer with daily product styling, outfit combinations, and visual coordination, developing a strong eye for trend execution from the ground up.
• Photoshoot Asset Preparation: Prepare the photoshoot presentation (PPT) at least one week in advance, including finalized product lists and curated outfit pairings for manager review.
• Studio Coordination: Coordinate with the Creative and Studio teams to schedule and prepare for upcoming photoshoots based on incoming sample arrivals.
• Sample Readiness: Ensure all clothing, shoes, and accessory samples required for photoshoots are organized, labeled, and ready for onset utilization.
• Studio Alignment: Partner with the Creative and Studio teams to ensure the photoshoot schedule runs smoothly without delays.
• Issue Resolution: Track and communicate any missing or delayed samples to the relevant teams promptly, adjusting shoot schedules as needed to eliminate production downtime.

New Item Launch & Linking Management

• Launch Schedule Oversight: Monitor the weekly new item launching schedule to ensure all SKC targets are met accurately and on time.
• Weekly Plan Submissions: Submit the comprehensive launch plan every Wednesday for the following week, integrating new items, recolors, and required outfit linkings.
• Pre-Launch Readiness Audits: Review each day’s launch readiness at least one business day prior to going live, double-checking product linking, imagery, measurements, and inventory.
• Data Correction: Actively identify and communicate linking errors, missing measurements, or readiness concerns to backend teams before strict deadlines.
• Tracking & Reporting: Maintain and update launch trackers with real-time status updates, delays, and revised timelines.
• Goal Alignment: Align weekly and monthly launch progress with merchandising goals to share reports with management.

Sample Room Operations & Inventory Control

• Sample Intake & Labeling: Oversee the initial receiving, labeling, organization, and categorization of all seasonal and recutting samples.
• Systematic Inventory Categorization: Maintain the sample room inventory structure by grouping styles systematically by category (e.g., tops, dresses, bottoms) and specific launch periods.
• Purging & Maintenance: Routine auditing to identify and remove outdated, damaged, or duplicate samples to optimize space.
• Photo Documentation: Provide weekly progress updates and clean sample room photo documentation weekly.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Workflow Optimization

• Communication Bridge: Act as a central point of contact across U.S. merchandising and other teams to keep data, measurements, and timelines aligned.
• Risk Mitigation: Track and report operational bottlenecks that may delay product launches or shoots, proactively proposing flexible corrective actions.
• Digital Archiving: Maintain impeccably organized shared folders and documentation for weekly and monthly launch history records.
• Process Efficiency: Support continuous improvement by suggesting workflow efficiencies across launch operations and sample management.

Job Requirements

• 1-3+ years of experience in retail, merchandising, product development, or production support. (Open to high-potential, entry level candidates possessing a strong desire to learn from scratch).
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, Creative Arts, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, shared drive management, and basic product tracking systems.
• Strong foundational interest in fashion trends, commercial styling, and visual layout.
• Exceptional attention to detail, rigorous organizational habits, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, manage moving parts, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively throughout the organization.
• Able to effectively communicate with all levels of staff and management.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with short timelines and changing priorities.
• Strong sense of urgency balanced with a highly meticulous approach to data and deadlines.
• A positive, self-motivated "go-getter" who thrives on taking ownership and troubleshooting within a fast-paced environment.
• Health Savings Account with Employer Funding
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent care)
• Company-Paid Basic Life/AD&D insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Benefit Offerings (Voluntary Life/AD&D, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan with discretionary company match and access to a financial advisor
• Vacation, paid holidays, floating holiday and sick days
• Free weekly catered lunch
• Dog-friendly office (available at select locations)
• Free gym access (available at select locations)
• Free swag giveaways
• Annual Holiday Party
• Invitations to pop-ups and other company events
• Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages