Assistant Buyer

About the Role

Stitch Fix is seeking a motivated and detailed oriented Assistant Buyer to join our dynamic Men’s team. As an Assistant Buyer supporting men’s denim, you will play a vital role in supporting our buying and planning activities, ensuring a seamless and efficient operation. You will collaborate closely with the buying team to assist in product selection, analysis, and inventory management, contributing to the success of our innovative fashion retail business. Specifically, the Assistant Buyer will be responsible for owning a portion of business within a specific divisional product category. You will constantly analyze the business and execute actions based on learnings. You will develop financial and product strategies aimed at meeting department targets and delighting our clients. The Assistant Buyer will also own curating assortments from vendor partners, market brands, and private brands that ladder up to these strategies (penetration of private brands is dependent on category/line of business and can vary). Lastly, this role will also own presenting strategies and assortments to leadership and cross-functional partners to gain alignment.

You're excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Serve as a critical part in operating a business; develop and execute merchandising strategies to maximize departmental opportunities and reach financial and client goals
• Drive seasonal line plans across all brands/partners
• Work collaboratively with the Buying team to ensure cohesiveness of total product assortment; aid in the selection of merchandise based on client preferences, market trends, and company goals
• Support the buying process by conducting research on product availability, pricing, and vendor relationships
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with cross-functional team members and vendors, both new and existing
• Work closely with cross-functional teams such as Planning, Styling, and Marketing to align strategies and ensure a cohesive customer experience
• Monitor and analyze inventory levels, sales data, and demand forecasts to ensure optimal stock levels and product assortment
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, competitor activities, and client preferences to inform buying decisions that are appropriate for Stitch Fix clients
• Conduct regular market research and competitive analysis to identify new opportunities and potential risks
• Assist in analyzing sales data and client feedback on an ongoing basis (i.e weekly, monthly, quarterly hindsights) to provide insights and inform strategies for future assortments.
• Partner with Planning counterparts to actively and responsibly manage open to buy budget and coordinate purchase orders, deliveries, and replenishment strategies.
• Own strategic management of the vendor matrix, identifying core competencies to maximize product opportunities and reach financial goals
• Collaborate with vendors and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of products, resolve any issues, and maintain positive relationships.
• Assist in negotiating terms, contracts, and pricing with suppliers to optimize profitability and product quality.
• Participate in meetings, contribute to team discussions, and provide input on product assortment and promotions

We’re excited about you because…

• You have a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 2+ years of experience in a men’s buying or merchandising role; experience with men’s bottoms is preferred, private label experience is a bonus
• You have experience assisting in all aspects of the product lifecycle (denim preferred), from initial concept and product development to vendor negotiations, to ensure profitable and trend-forward assortments.
• You have knowledge of retail math and business metrics
• You are knowledgeable about market trends, and have an understanding of client preferences
• You are analytical and enjoy using client feedback to drive assortment decisions
• You have a keen eye for product and experience spotting and reacting to trends across the market
• You are comfortable taking calculated risks to achieve results, and thrive in an environment where you are empowered to make data-driven, bold decisions
• You are detail oriented, organized and possess effective time management skills and have proven you can thrive in a fast paced, nuanced environment where bold and proactive decision making is essential
• You have worked in an environment where change is constant and you’ve demonstrated your ability to maintain flexibility and a solutions-driven approach
• You have developed strong negotiation skills
• You have strong oral and written communication skills
• You thrive in a feedback driven environment
• You are able to travel up to 25-30% of the time
• Above all else, you are Bright, Kind and Motivated by Challenge

Why you'll love working at Stitch Fix...

• We are a group of bright, kind people who are motivated by challenge. We value integrity, innovation and trust. You’ll bring these characteristics to life in everything you do at Stitch Fix.
• We cultivate a community of diverse perspectives— all voices are heard and valued.
• We are an innovative company and leverage our strengths in fashion and tech to disrupt the future of retail. 
• We win as a team, commit to our work, and celebrate grit together because we value strong relationships.
• We boldly create the future while keeping equity and sustainability at the center of all that we do. 
• We are the owners of our work and are energized by solving problems through a growth mindset lens. We think broadly and creatively through every situation to create meaningful impact.
• We offer comprehensive compensation packages and inclusive health and wellness benefits.