Assistant Buyer

About the Team

You’ll be part of the Global Buying team, responsible for supporting seasonal assortments and business strategies. Our team helps ensure that every global customer experiences the best of the brand through thoughtful assortment curation, localized product strategies, accurate product setup, and strong cross-functional execution.

We work closely with Brand Merchandising, Global Inventory and Planning, Sourcing, eCommerce, Visual, Store Operations, Order Management and regional teams to support seasonal assortments, pricing, SKU setup, product flow, promotional execution, and business analysis. Strong Excel skills, attention to detail, business ownership, and a passion for product are key to success in this highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.

About the Role

The Assistant Buyer, Global will report to the Buyer and support the development and execution of business strategies and seasonal assortment plans across franchise markets. This role is critical to driving revenue, protecting business continuity, and supporting growth across key global markets. The Assistant Buyer will support a range of categories and markets, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate SKU setup, pricing, promotional execution, assortment execution, product availability, eCommerce readiness, and in-store execution. 

We are looking for someone who is excited to learn the global business and enjoys both the analytical and creative aspects of merchandising. This role requires strong organization, accuracy, follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities across markets, channels, and business partners

Responsibilities

• Partner with buying leadership to develop and deliver financial plans for your category of business (Growth %, Sales, MMU$, Inventory). Develop seasonal and foundational assortment strategies, participate in the planning and execution both pre-season and in season

• Analyze and report on weekly company owned business performance and drive associated action steps 

• Perform market analysis, competitive shop and analyze sales trends to keep abreast of current trends. Obtain feedback from stores to improve product and add to collections

• Identify emerging trends and develop business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, new opportunities and threats. Communicate annual and seasonal strategies to functional areas (Inventory, Ecommerce, Visual).

• Develop and recommend seasonal and core product mix for department or area. Collaborate with Inventory Management to develop annual and seasonal financial plans

• Collaborate with Inventory Management and buying leadership on final assortment plans (line lists), product details, target retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (rank & big bets), flow to DC and channel distribution 

• Participate in visual mapping process to ensure floor plan direction supports market-specific and store-specific visual display and sales plans 

• Responsible for in season management of a category, and OTB management in partnership with Inventory team and buying leadership. 

• Manage Merchandising Line Lists

• Support pricing activity, including regular pricing, promotions, markdowns, cost updates, and market-specific pricing needs across DTC and retail channels. 

• Drive retail store & ecommerce execution of your category in close partnership with store Visual, Store operations and Ecommerce marketing teams. 

• Develop promo and markdown strategies to ensure inventory targets and sales are met each season 

• Review EDM, Homepage creative and participate in monthly UAT activities

• Summarize and communicate merchandising information for store newsletters and emails. Coordinate with Store Operation for disseminating information through appropriate channels.

• Correspond with functional areas. Resolves, handles and escalates difficult issues to Buyer, Call Center and Stores. Investigate and respond to field issues

• This role is onsite Mon-Thurs in San Francisco

Why you will love working at Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

• We're a successful, fast-growing company with an entrepreneurial vibe

• A technologically and data-driven business

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive health benefits

• We're at the forefront of tech and retail, redefining technology for the next generation

• We're passionate about our internal and external clients and live/breathe the client experience

• We get to be creative on a daily basis

• A smart, experienced leadership team that wants to do it right and is open to new ideas

• We believe in autonomy and reward taking initiative

• We have fun!

• We're excited about you because...

• Previous experience in a retail buying office, merchandising, inventory management, planning, eCommerce, or related retail function. 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

• 1–3 years of retail buying, merchandising, or related experience preferred. 

• Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 

• Comfortable learning and working within multiple systems, trackers, and reporting tools. 

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. 

• Highly detail-oriented with a strong degree of accuracy and the ability to detect inconsistencies in data. 

• Strong organizational, prioritization, follow-up, and time management skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional partners at all levels of the organization. 

• Collaborative, flexible, proactive, and comfortable working independently as well as part of a team. 

• Strong interest in merchandising, product, global markets, and the West Elm brand. 

• Demonstrated commitment to high professional and ethical standards. 

• Enthusiastic about working in merchandising and contributing to a fun, energetic, and highly collaborative team.

Our Culture & Values
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success, and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

Benefits
- A generous discount on all WSI brands
- A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
- Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
- Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
- Tax-free commuter benefits
- A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning
- In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
- Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
- Resources for self-development
- Advisor (Mentor) program
- Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series


WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $27.85-$31.33. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.