Description & Requirements
Who we are
lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
About this team
Reporting to the Buying Manager, our Buyer is responsible for the assortment, execution, and depth of the buy of their specific product category across all channels. The Buyer is responsible for strategic assortment planning, determining locally relevant assortments and being a competitive market expert for their particular region. This person will lead effective partnerships with Planning, In Season Country teams, Visual Merchandising, Digital, Brand and Community, and Retail Operations to deliver right product, right stores, right time. The Buyer is responsible for the development of other members of the regional buying team and creating strong relationships with our Global and regional counterparts.
A day in the life
- You contribute to the financial success of the region by meeting and exceeding sales, gross margin and inventory productivity goals through all channels (stores, ecommerce, strategic sales, & showrooms) through the effective partnership with Planning and In Season Country teams.
- You are a market expert in your product category and region for all channels and can effectively communicate key data points, including merchandising strategies, athletic and fashion trends, pricing and competition that inform the global product strategy
- Using the preliminary Global Assortment, create a compelling, locally relevant product assortment for the region's store clusters
- You proactively gather, analyse and drive insight from local market knowledge and competitive landscape across all channels
- You lead the quarterly product reviews (meltdown) for your product category, delivering on timely, measurable, and actionable feedback
- You act as the primary point of contact for product feedback from your region's product category
- You formulate and define local pricing strategies
- You lead the in-season management of your product category, through sales analysis, flow management, product education, chase, cancellations, markdowns and exit
- You train, support and develop our Assistant Buyers.
Qualifications:
- 5-8 years experience in retail in a merchant or buying role
- Bachelor's degree qualified (Business, commerce preferred)
- Vertical retail and omni channel experience highly desirable
- Mastery of retail mathematics and Open to Buy
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret multiple data points across numerous channels and market segments
- Proven ability to work with and lead a cross functional team
- Excellent sense of style and color trends athletically minded
- Excellent communication skills - interpersonal, written and verbal
- Entrepreneurship - an ability to make decisions and take calculated risks
- Focus on creating an extraordinary guest experience, organizational and time management skills
- Strong knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook)
- Self-awareness, with a desire for constant self-improvement (goal -oriented)
- Willingness to travel and work on the retail floor
Must haves:
- Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.
- Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results.
- Communicates with honesty and kindness, and creates the space for others to do the same.
- Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
- Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
- Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn't take themselves too seriously.
At lululemon, we care for and invest in the whole person - body, mind, spirit. Our total rewards program is designed to support you in achieving your goals and focus on the things you love. In addition to competitive base pay and a team-based bonus program, we also offer paid time off, generous employee discounts, fitness/yoga classes, parenthood top up program and personal and professional development programs.
Note: availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to your location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these benefits and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.
Learn more about what it's like working for lululemon in our Asia-Pacific markets:
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