At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product strategy and create exclusive assortments for A&F and Hollister in EMEA.
- Company: Join Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a global leader in fashion retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of fashion for young consumers.
- Qualifications: Degree in Merchandising or Buying, with a passion for fashion and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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. They will 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. This role is based in our EMEA Home Office in London, UK.
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 handled centrally by 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 Do You Need To Bring?
- Bachelor’s or undergraduate University degree equivalent
- Experience in 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
Company Description
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs. The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.
Associate Buyer EMEA - A&F Women employer: Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is an excellent employer that prioritises a vibrant and inclusive work culture, making it a fantastic place for Brand Experience Specialists to thrive. Located in the heart of Southampton, employees benefit from a dynamic retail environment that fosters personal growth and development, alongside competitive benefits and opportunities for career advancement within a globally recognised brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Buyer EMEA - A&F Women
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Abercrombie & Fitch Co., so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Abercrombie & Fitch Co.!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Buyer EMEA - A&F Women
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Abercrombie & Fitch Co. that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
