Urban Outfitters Buyer - Men's Knits

Urban Outfitters; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

PTO

Employee discounts

Retirement savings

Job summary

Urban Outfitters is seeking a trend-obsessed, data-fluent Buyer to lead our Private Label Knits business. Translate data, insights, and cultural trends into a compelling assortment balancing core essentials with fashion-forward pieces for our customer.

The role partners with Merchant, Planning, and Design to drive a relevant collection, strong commercial results, and continuous category evolution. 3 years buying experience preferred and a degree in fashion/merchandising.

Qualifications

• Fashion or merchandising degree or equivalent experience desired.
• 3 years of experience in a buying role is preferred.
• Demographic knowledge: understanding of the target customer and selecting appropriate products/trends.
• Analytical understanding: comfort with statistics (IMU%, MD%, GM%, selloff, WOS, OTB).
• Communication: positive, professional, timely with teams, vendors, and suppliers.
• Time management: proactively plans to deliver priorities and meet deadlines.
• Detail orientation: focus on small details to ensure high-quality work.
• Ownership: take responsibility for outcomes and decisions.
• Inclusivity: commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Assist in building a balanced, brand-appropriate assortment by analyzing customer feedback and market trends.
• Support development of core business categories while incorporating fashion newness and test silhouettes.
• Maintain mix of private label and branded products across categories.
• Contribute to monthly shop planning and seasonal line reviews.
• Stay informed on fashion trends, styles, and cultural shifts through publications and shows.
• Provide input on product selection with strong sense of style and customer relevance.
• Monitor competitive landscape and identify trends to support assortment decisions.
• Collaborate with Design to develop relevant, fashion-forward styles.
• Assist in applying trend insights to product development and web expansion opportunities.
• Partner with Production to balance quality, lead times, and price/value.
• Communicate professionally with vendors to support development and delivery timelines.
• Assist in negotiating pricing, delivery, and terms under Buyer guidance.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers and brands to enhance product mix.
• Support Open to Buy management by maintaining flow sheets and item plans.
• Monitor business performance and assist in reorders, cancellations, and markdowns.
• Understand seasonality and contribute to inventory planning and profitability strategies.
• Analyze sales velocity, returns, markdowns, and customer behavior to inform buying decisions.
• Participate in in-season and post-season reviews to evaluate performance and opportunities.
• Use data to support product recommendations and assortment adjustments.

Skills

Data fluency

Trend analysis

Vendor communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Merchandising

Education

Fashion or merchandising degree

Job description

Role Summary

Urban Outfitters is looking for a trend-obsessed, data-fluent Buyer to lead our Private Label Knits business. This person knows how to translate data, market insights, and cultural trends into a compelling assortment that balances core essentials with the fashion-forward, must-have pieces our customer wants in their closet.

They are a strong cross-functional partner who works seamlessly with Merchant, Planning, and Design to build a collection that feels highly relevant to the UO customer while delivering strong commercial results. They bring a sharp eye for product, a deep understanding of trend and customer, and proven expertise in product development and vendor communication. With a strong point of view on product and a pulse on what’s next, they will drive the category forward by identifying new opportunities, evolving the assortment, and building a business that continues to resonate with the UO customer.

Role Responsibilities

Assortment Strategy

• Assist in building a balanced and brand-appropriate assortment by analyzing customer feedback and market trends.
• Support the development of core business categories while incorporating fashion newness and test silhouettes.
• Help maintain the appropriate mix of private label and branded products across categories.
• Contribute to monthly shop planning and seasonal line reviews.

Fashion & Trend Awareness

• Stay informed on fashion trends, styles, and cultural shifts through industry publications, fashion shows, and social media.
• Provide input on product selection with a strong sense of style and customer relevance.
• Monitor competitive landscape and identify emerging trends to support assortment decisions.

Product Development

• Support research of new products, suppliers, and vendors to expand the assortment.
• Collaborate with the Design team to develop relevant and fashion-forward styles.
• Assist in applying trend insights to product development, including web expansion opportunities.
• Partner with Production to help balance quality, lead times, and price/value.

Vendor Relationships

• Communicate professionally with vendors to support product development and delivery timelines.
• Assist in negotiating pricing, delivery, and terms under the guidance of the Buyer.
• Help identify and onboard new suppliers and brands to enhance the product mix.

Planning & Financial Support

• Support Open to Buy (OTB) management by maintaining flow sheets and item plans.
• Monitor business performance and assist in executing reorders, cancellations, and markdowns.
• Understand seasonality and contribute to inventory planning and profitability strategies.

Data Utilization

• Analyze sales velocity, returns, markdowns, and customer behavior to inform buying decisions.
• Participate in in-season and post-season hindsight reviews to evaluate performance and identify opportunities.
• Use data to support product recommendations and assortment adjustments.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work cross-functionally with Planning, Design, and Production teams to ensure alignment on product and business goals.
• Communicate clearly and professionally across teams and with external partners.

#LI-ME1

Role Qualifications

Education: Fashion or merchandising degree or equivalent experience desired.

Experience: 3 years of experience in a buying role is preferred.

Demographic Knowledge: Demonstrate an understanding of the target customer and the ability to select the appropriate product/trend that will appeal to the customer and meet their expectations.

Analytical Understanding: Comfort with use of statistical components of the business (IMU%, MD%, GM%, selloff, WOS, etc.) and the OTB.

Communication: Positive, professional, and timely communication with teams, supporting departments, vendors, and suppliers.

Time Management: Proactively plans and controls time to efficiently deliver team priorities and meet deadlines.

Detail Orientation: Focus on and manage the small details of a task or project to consistently produce high-quality work.

Ownership: Take responsibility for the outcomes of your work and the decisions that lead to those outcomes. Hold yourself accountable.

Inclusivity: Commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

The Perks

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits

EEO Statement

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.