Assistant Buyer

Objective The position is responsible for assisting in category planning, vendor coordination, and inventory monitoring to help achieve gross margin goals and maintain a healthy sell-through rate of 60% or above. Key Responsibilities Product Range Support: • Assist in the development of brand strategy through research and analysis of target customers and market positioning. • Support category planning activities by analyzing performance, trends, and sales potential. • Contribute to the seasonal purchase strategy by leveraging reports and historical data shared by the planning/merchandising teams. • Participate in store grading to align product assortments across diverse store types (e.g., premium vs. value-focused). • Assist in developing procurement strategies for seasonal sales using historical product performance. • Support pricing decisions through competitive benchmarking and market intelligence. • Coordinate with principals and suppliers for procurement under the guidance of the Buyer. Order Management • Prepare and track procurement orders to ensure timely delivery in line with service level agreements and purchase plans. • Monitor in-transit inventory to ensure smooth stock movement from supplier to warehouse. Vendor Coordination • Support the Buyer in maintaining strong supplier relationships to ensure timely, cost-effective, and compliant deliveries. • Follow up on supplier performance, delivery timelines, and contractual adherence. Store & Visual Merchandising • Conduct store visits to monitor product displays and gather insights on product performance. • Visit competitor stores for benchmarking and trend inspiration. • Track stock levels and weeks of cover, raising alerts when stock adjustments are needed. • Collaborate with store staff to collect feedback on customer preferences and product performance. Market & Competition Awareness • Stay updated on fashion trends and evolving customer preferences in local and international markets. • Track competitor activities, product offerings, and pricing strategies to support informed buying decisions. Desired Experience • Minimum 2 years of experience in retail or merchandising, preferably within a fashion or lifestyle brand. • Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and basic ERP systems. • Understanding of product strategy, vendor coordination, range planning, and trend analysis. • Familiarity with market research, sales data interpretation, and forecasting techniques. • Bachelor’s degree in Fashion, Retail Management, or a related field from a recognized institution. Show more Show less