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- Tasks: Join our EMEA team to shape Hollister's product strategy for the Middle East.
- Company: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a global retailer focused on quality apparel for diverse lifestyles.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work options, competitive pay, and wellness programs tailored for you.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and collaboration while making a regional impact.
- Qualifications: Passion for fashion and market trends; strong analytical and relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Quarterly travel to Dubai for key business milestones and store insights.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
Company Description
Job Description
The A&F Co. Middle East Buyer will work as part of our EMEA team to grow the business through the development of a localized product strategy for the Hollister brand for the Middle East region. This role will drive assortment architecture and product selection, partnering with the EMEA Buying and Planning teams to ensure our global brand is regionally relevant. Though the role will be primarily focused on our UAE and Kuwait omnichannel business, the Middle East Buyer is expected to partner closely with our regional Franchise partners in KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman to build product synergies across the Middle East region. Success in this role will be highly dependent upon building and maintaining exceptional relationships with internal and external teams across the London and Dubai office. The role requires quarterly travel to Dubai for key business milestones and customer, competitor and stores deep dives.
This role is based in London and reports to the Senior Director of Buying for Hollister.
What Will You Be Doing?
- Leverage regional market knowledge to provide sales forecast guidance and drive forecast accuracy
- Review store forecasts and recommend actions to maximize key traffic peaks and holidays while mitigating forecast volatility
- Optimize inventory across Middle East stores to achieve brand, gender, and department stock goals
- Collaborate with EMEA buying and planning teams to maximize inventory efficiency between regions and channels
- Develop and execute region-specific inventory liquidation plans
- Translate business hindsight’s into future season forecast and inventory strategies
- Interface with regional stores, supply chain, logistics, and trade partners
- Visit store locations quarterly and provide feedback to EMEA team members on in-store experience opportunities
- Execute regionally specific item and size strategies from pre-season to in-season
- Provide guidance on new store set up inclusive of third-party execution
What Do You Need To Bring?
- Drive Middle East region growth by creating and executing a regional product assortment architecture for the Hollister brand.
- Leverage market knowledge to distort product assortment set cadence, breadth, and depth to local consumer preference and align with competitive landscape
- Ensure assortments are consistent with global brand strategy and identity
- Develop region-exclusive capsules as necessary in partnership with Global merchants and design
- Connect product assortment strategies with marketing priorities and campaigns
- Be the expert in current selling and historical selling knowledge for the region, translating in-season analyses to decisions and actions to maximize sales and margin
- Leverage financial and strategic capabilities by influencing promotions, pricing, visual merchandising, and inventory flow
- Intimately understand regional shopping behavior, brand perceptions, and product preferences and interests by regularly patterning the market and visiting our stores
- Execute against key milestones and seasonal processes, including:detailed seasonal hindsight and strategic line review process at the department and style level to inform future strategy and identify line list needs
- Present weekly selling updates as part of a regular Monday Business Review process, evaluating performance and identifying strengths, opportunities and recommended actions
- Make seasonal assortment decisions in Assortment Reviews quarterly, contributing ideas, identifying top items, and preparing for seasonal buys
- Leverage monthly Chase, Buy, Cut Reviews to fine-tune assortments virtually and respond to trend
- Participate in monthly MPC meetings to reconcile current performance with future merchandise plans, identifying upside and downside strategies
Our Company
Abercrombie & Fitch 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 & Fitch, YPB, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, 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 over 750 stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sitesabercrombie.com,abercrombiekids.com, andhollisterco.com.
At Abercrombie & Fitch Co., we lead with purpose and always put our people first. We’re proud to offer equitable compensation and benefits, including flexibility and competitive Paid Time Off, as well as education and engagement events, including various Associate Resource Groups, volunteer opportunities and additional time off to give back to our global communities.
Benefits & Perks
As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:
- Incentive bonus program
- Annual companywide review process
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- Associate assistance program
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot
- Access to mental health and wellness app, Headspace
- Paid time off and one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your community
- Work from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are “work from anywhere” days for most roles and six work from anywhere weeks per year)
- Seven associate wellness half days per year
- Merchandise discount on all of our brands
- Opportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from within
- Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups
- Global team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU!
Additional Information
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Additional Information
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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Buyer, Hollister - Middle East employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Contact Detail:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer, Hollister - Middle East
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Hollister brand and its product offerings, especially in relation to the Middle East market. Understanding local consumer preferences and trends will help you demonstrate your regional market knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the retail and buying sectors, particularly those who have experience in the Middle East. Building relationships with industry insiders can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest retail trends and consumer behaviour in the Middle East. Being able to discuss current market dynamics and how they impact product assortment strategies will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with inventory management and forecasting. Highlight any relevant achievements or projects that demonstrate your ability to optimise inventory and drive sales, as these skills are crucial for the Buyer role.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer, Hollister - Middle East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Buyer position at Hollister. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in product strategy and regional market knowledge.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in buying, merchandising, or inventory management, especially within the Middle East market. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to drive sales and optimise inventory.
Showcase Relationship Building Skills: Since the role requires collaboration with various teams and partners, include examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships in past roles. This could be with internal teams or external partners.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application reflects an understanding of Hollister's brand identity and values. Discuss how your personal style aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their growth in the Middle East.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Research the Brand and Market
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research Hollister and its position in the Middle East market. Understand their product offerings, target audience, and recent trends in the region. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commitment and ability to contribute to the brand's growth.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Buyer, you'll need to leverage sales forecasts and inventory strategies. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis and how you've used it to inform buying decisions in the past. Highlight specific examples where your analytical skills led to successful outcomes.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
This role requires exceptional relationship management with internal teams and external partners. Share examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships in previous roles, particularly in a multicultural environment. This will show your ability to collaborate effectively across different teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making process. Think about potential challenges you might face as a Buyer in the Middle East and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
