Associate Buyer

**PRIMARY POSITION DESCRIPTION**
POSITION TITLE: Associate Buyer, aerie Canada
REPORTS TO: Buyer, aerie Canada
BASED IN: Toronto

**SUMMARY**:

- Supports the creation of a commercially viable geo-channel assortment for aerie Inc. in conjunction with the Buyer, Global Merchandising and Planning to meet the competitive and commercial needs of the Canadian market.
- Participates in in-season and future assortment strategy discussions with knowledge of their Geo and maintains strong partnerships with the cross functional team

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Supports Geo Buyer in partnership with Geo Planner and Country LT to ensure product strategies are in line with overall business strategy.
- Supports In-season business through weekly business analysis and recaps.
- Understand and help to identify changes in trend and business in order to maximize sales/margin opportunities.
- Support in creation of ad-hoc reporting as necessary
- Supports Buyer in creation of seasonal Roadmap
- Reports on weekly/monthly business trends and utilizes this in conjunction with geo expertise to influence seasonal roadmap
- Understand regional business trends to ensure key business drivers are available to support the business
- Support Buyer with identification of programs for peak international business opportunities by market, ex: CNY, Passover, Ramadan
- Understand climate requirements by market, such as reverse seasonality, early product flow; build into the strategy
- Ensure product assortment is commercially viable and aligned with AEO Brands’ seasonal vision:

- Participate in seasonal buy conversations during International Market through business and geography expertise
- Participate in Visual Merchandising conversations related to store mapping to ensure ideas are intact as presented for small/mid/large format locations
- Support Buyer in creation / selection of appropriate assortment distortions and extensions as applicable
- Adapt and edit provided buying tools to be Geo specific when applicable
- Continued innovation in the buying experience
- Manages the PO process for Geo Channel in partnership with the CFT
- Manages unit entry for POs; responsible for weekly PO checks to ensure order accuracy
- Responsible for maintenance of all worksheets / files associated with Geo channel
- Clear understanding of company systems
- Supports Geo Buyer in creation and maintenance of Geo Item Master
- Responsible for accurate and timely updates to all style attributes
- Participate in all milestone meetings as related to the assortment strategy for designated Geo Channel
- Pre-Season: Support in Roadmap, Product Alignment, Hindsight, Seasonal Strategy, Market deliverables
- In-Season: Action changes communicated by Global Merchandising; which includes chase additions, drops, style and/or color changes, etc.
- Buyer & Assistant are responsible for working with planning on chase, cancel, re-flow strategy, or adjustments as necessary, partnership in leaseline decisions, communication and execution
- Responsible for calling out concerns to Geo Buyer for timely resolution
- Manages shipping; partners with Inventory Planning to make sure inventory is flowing as planned
- Clear understanding of AEO market presence globally, understanding of international competition and pricing architecture

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:

- Total sales
- Order / systems accuracy
- Competitive landscape
- Receipt management

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent experience
- 3 - 5 year’s prior experience in buying, merchandising
- Prior global experience for company owned, franchise, or wholesale models
- Positive and passionate individual will be most successful in this and future roles
- Understanding of fashion and retail trends as well as how to interpret their seasonal stories/messages for the aerie customer. Keen sense of fashion exhibited through personal taste.
- Excellent analytical and creative skills
- Demonstrate poise, tact and diplomacy (coolness and composure under strain, confidence without arrogance)
- Forward Thinking/Innovative - Not satisfied with the status quo, ahead of the times, advanced views, creating something like nothing done or experienced before
- Persuasive - Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management. Able to motivate others
- Strategic - Possesses the ability to conceptualize and understand risks facing a business as well as the ability to support the creation of a strategy surrounding a specific opportunity
- High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, specifically advanced proficiency in Excel and a comfort level building and manipulating reports
- Experience working with NuOrder or another Assortment Planning Tool is an asset. Familiarity with Edited is a plus
- Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment with critical attention to detail
- Sense of urgenc