Urban Outfitters - MW Junior Buyer, Knitwear and Jersey

Urban Outfitters started out as a single boutique in the 1970s Philadelphia with creativity and uniqueness at its core. 50 years on, and over 60 stores across Europe later, we’ve become a destination for emerging design, unexpected styling, One-Of-A-Kind vintage and homeware that makes you want to hit the share button. We speak to a social community of over 10 million forward‑thinking individuals, bringing together a nostalgia for the past with an enthusiasm to shape the future. The UO community are culturally aware, they shape the music scene, they live a digitally native life and they wear style trends before anyone else. At our core, we empower our customers and staff to express themselves, unapologetically, living life in a way that’s truly authentic to them. We are always excited to bring new talent into the room, especially if you share our values:

• Progressive — we move with the mood
• Creative — we champion limitless minds
• Inclusive — we open our platforms to all communities
• Responsible — we work to reduce our impact on the environment
• Compassionate — we care for each other beyond the 9 to 5

Role Summary: This is a great opportunity to join our Menswear Own Label Buying team. The ideal candidate will have a strong product development background and be ready to take ownership of their areas. You’ll play a key role in shaping the brand’s collection and keeping it fresh, on‑trend, and aligned with what our customers love. You’ll be responsible for choosing the right products, managing inventory, and making sure we’re offering a mix of products that sell well and reflect the Urban Outfitters aesthetic. You'll use your market knowledge, data insights, and vendor relationships to stay ahead of the curve and keep the collection exciting.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Creating balanced ranges relevant to the UO customer focusing on quality, value, and key volume.
• Collaborating across functions to ensure complete delivery of concept to consumer.
• Working closely with global partners to leverage all commercial opportunities.
• Maintaining excellent supplier relationships, identifying gaps in sourcing and developing new relationships to support.
• Driving individual, departmental, and total business goals through seasonal initiatives.
• Presenting strategy, ideas and concepts to senior management.
• Providing leadership to employees and to peers to help foster an open environment of continual training and development.
• Working together with Planners/Merchandisers to develop effective line plans.
• Managing the Open to Buy (OTB) plan, knowing when to change the OTB based on business needs.
• Analyzing the business and reacting with timely reorders and cancellations.
• Maximizing margin opportunities and reducing markdown.
• Understanding seasonality and managing the critical path accordingly.
• Liaising with PR, Marketing, Web, Visual Merchandising and Retail Operations teams to ensure that sales are maximized, and the department reaches its full potential.
• Leading and delivering on departmental sustainability goals.
• Representing the brand with integrity and authority, being a true brand ambassador for the business.

What You’ll Need:

• Proven experience in buying and product development, ideally within Knitwear and Jersey with a strong understanding of the Urban Outfitters brand and customer.
• Ability to analyse trends, customer behaviour, and competitor activity to curate an innovative and relevant product assortment.
• Experience managing OTB and sales analysis to drive profitability while maintaining brand identity.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage a team, collaborate across departments, and present strategies to senior stakeholders.
• Passion for trend‑led product development, working with vendors to create fresh, unique, and first‑to‑market styles that resonate with the Urban Outfitters customer.
• Commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, ensuring responsible sourcing and a progressive product mix.
• Skilled in negotiation and vendor management, sourcing new partners, and securing the best quality, pricing, and exclusivity.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast‑paced, reactive environment, responding quickly to market shifts and traveling internationally as needed.

The Perks:

• Work‑life balance: Flexible start and finish times, Bring your dog to work.
• Wellbeing: Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health, Fully equipped free gym and on‑site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships, Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands.
• Community: One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
• Travel: Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.
• Continued Development: We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development.

Equal Opportunity Statement: URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.