Associate Buyer, EMEA

Associate Buyer, EMEA

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive product strategy and develop local assortments for iconic fashion brands in EMEA.
  • Company: Join Abercrombie & Fitch, a leading fashion retailer with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape brand identity.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of an exciting journey to grow brands and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: 2+ years in merchandising or buying, strong leadership, and a passion for fashion.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.

At A&F, we are at an exciting stage in our build‑out of the EMEA regional office and we have a clear strategy to grow our brands in the region (Hollister Co, Gilly Hicks, Abercrombie & Fitch and Abercrombie Kids). We are looking for strong, curious, optimists who aim high, push boundaries & are willing to roll their sleeves up & get stuck in to join on this exciting journey!

This individual will work as part of the EMEA Brands team to develop local product strategy and support for the A&F or Hollister brand. They will drive product strategy across all channels and work directly with the global product team to create the local version of our brand aesthetic. Success in this role will be highly dependent upon building and maintaining exceptional relationships with internal and external teams in both EMEA and the US.

What will you be doing?

  • Within a business division, act as owner for a full merchandise department for the brand in the EMEA region.
  • Lead merchandise buys and distortions for two merchandise departments, leveraging regional customer preferences and advancing regional business strategy while preserving brand identity and priorities.
  • Create the high‑level architecture for an EMEA‑exclusive product assortment.
  • Ensure assortments are consistent with overall brand strategy and identity.
  • Item‑level execution of EMEA‑exclusive assortment will be handled in partnership with Home Office Design and Merchandise teams.
  • EMEA‑exclusive product assortment is expected to play a key role in sales growth.
  • Be the expert in current selling analysis and historical selling knowledge for the region.
  • Leverage financial and strategic capabilities to influence promotions, pricing, product placement, etc. as well as product development and assortments.
  • Intimately understand regional customers' preferences and interests by observing shopping patterns, regularly shopping competitors, aspirational brands/runway and monitoring media platforms.
  • Execute against key milestones / seasonal processes: Following each season, execute a detailed hindsight / strategic line review process at the department level to inform future strategy and identify line list needs for design.
  • Present weekly selling / business updates as part of a regular Monday review process, evaluating performance, proposing tactical improvements, and consolidating results into a summary to be shared with the Home Office.
  • Participate in central assortment reviews on a seasonal basis, contributing ideas, identifying top items, and preparing for seasonal buys.
  • Participate in monthly Chase / Buy / Cut reviews to provide a regional perspective on key products and fine‑tune assortments.
  • Participate in monthly MPC meetings, working with team to identify upsides and risks to the plan.
  • Connect remotely and in‑person with Home Office Visual Merchandising teams to coordinate floorsets.
  • Partner with Home Office teams to ensure EMEA‑exclusive assortment is on track throughout the product development process, carrying out consistent updates and communicating effectively both remotely and in‑person.

What will you need to bring?

  • Bachelor's or undergraduate University degree equivalent.
  • 2+ years of Merchandising or Buying experience, preferably in apparel.
  • Proven leadership experience and ability to thrive in team‑based settings.
  • Passion for the buying role, fashion retail, customer research, and the Hollister brand.
  • Desire to take ownership for a portion of a multi‑billion‑dollar business.
  • An acute eye for product and trend.
  • A deep understanding of sales analysis and financial metrics that relate to your business.
  • Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate confidently to leadership.
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed by the department.
  • A high comfort‑level with analytical sales tools and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
  • A collaborative approach to working with cross‑functional partners to achieve the vision of the brand.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Associate Buyer, EMEA employer: ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH

At Abercrombie & Fitch, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that encourages creativity and collaboration. As an Associate Buyer in our EMEA regional office, you will have the opportunity to shape product strategies for iconic brands while working alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to personal and professional growth. With a focus on employee development and a culture that values innovation, we offer a unique chance to contribute to our exciting journey in the fashion retail industry.
ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH

Contact Detail:

ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Buyer, EMEA

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at A&F. Building relationships can give you insider info and might just land you an interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion for the brand! When you get the chance to chat with someone from A&F, make sure to express your enthusiasm for their products and vision. It’ll help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research the latest trends in fashion retail and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to A&F's growth in the EMEA region. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at A&F.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Buyer, EMEA

Merchandising
Buying Experience
Sales Analysis
Financial Metrics
Product Strategy Development
Relationship Building
Communication Skills
Presentation Skills
Analytical Sales Tools
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Trend Analysis
Customer Research
Collaborative Approach
Leadership Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the buying role and the Hollister brand shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about fashion retail and understand our brand's identity.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in merchandising or buying. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this position, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples that align with what we’re looking for!

Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of sales analysis and financial metrics, it’s crucial to mention your comfort with analytical tools. Show us how you've used data to influence decisions in your previous roles – it’ll make your application stand out!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and ready to take that first step with us!

How to prepare for a job interview at ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH

✨Know Your Brands Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into A&F's brands like Hollister and Abercrombie. Understand their unique selling points, target demographics, and current market trends. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for the brand and show that you're ready to contribute to their growth in the EMEA region.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Since the role requires a strong understanding of sales analysis and financial metrics, be prepared to discuss your experience with these tools. Bring examples of how you've used data to influence buying decisions or improve product assortments in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to drive product strategy effectively.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

This position involves working closely with various teams, both locally and globally. Share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional partners in the past. Highlight your communication skills and your ability to build relationships, as this is crucial for maintaining exceptional connections within the company.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Prepare for scenarios related to merchandise buys, customer preferences, or seasonal reviews. Think about how you would approach these situations and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

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