Urban Outfitters Buyer - Accessories
Role Summary Urban Outfitters looking for a trend-obsessed Buyer to lead our Accessories category. This isn't just a job—it's a mission to Fuel The Next Generation of Individuality. You won't just be buying products; you’ll be curating the finishing touches that define a look. We are looking for a high-energy merchant who is customer-obsessed, data-driven, and ready to build an accessory assortment that is bold, ahead of the curve, and commercially explosive. If you have the eye for what’s next and the hustle to make it happen, this is your platform. The Impact You’ll Make As an Accessories Buyer, you are the ultimate curator and trend-translator. You’ll move beyond personal taste, using performance data and deep cultural immersion to build an assortment—from jewelry and bags to tech and headwear—that electrifies our customer base and drives high-margin growth. Role Responsibilities Curate the Finishing Edge
- Build the Assortment: Curate a balanced, brand-defining accessories mix by translating customer feedback and macro-trends into a cohesive, commercially viable product offering.
- Drive Key Items: Own the "must-have" strategy. Identify the next viral accessory and maximize its sales potential through aggressive chasing and strategic online expansion.
- Balance Branded & Private Label: Strategically manage the mix of cool-girl/guy third-party brands and unique, high-margin private label designs.
Pulse of the Streets & Socials
- Trend Forecasting: Live and breathe the cultural shifts that dictate how our customer accessorizes. Monitor social conversation, street style, and niche influencers to stay ahead of the curve.
- Rapid Translation: Identify emerging accessory trends before they hit the mainstream and quickly translate those insights into "buy-now" product opportunities.
High-Impact Product Development
- Innovate & Iterate: Inject fresh, creative ideas into the development cycle for jewelry, eyewear, bags, and more to support aggressive growth goals.
- Collaborate for Perfection: Partner with the Design team to ensure every detail—from hardware to material—is fashion-forward. Work with Production to balance aspirational aesthetics with quality and speed.
Strategic Partnerships & Negotiation
- Discover Newness: Constantly hunt for and secure new, distinctive accessory brands and suppliers to keep the UO mix differentiated.
- Negotiate for Value: Leverage your category expertise to negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and exclusivity terms that support the bottom line.
Financial Ownership & Data Agility
- Own the Business: Manage your category’s Open to Buy (OTB). Use real-time sales trends to execute reorders or markdowns that maximize profitability and inventory turn.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use velocity, returns, and markdown data to optimize the assortment. You lead with insights, not just intuition.
#LI-ME1 Role Qualifications What You Bring
- Experience: 5–7 years in a fast-paced retail buying role, with a strong preference for fashion accessories or youth-culture-focused brands.
- Education: A degree in Fashion, Merchandising, or a related field.
- Analytical Power: Full command of retail math (IMU%, MD%, GM%, WOS, OTB) and the ability to pivot strategy based on weekly performance.
- Cultural Fluency: A deep understanding of the UO customer. You know what they’re wearing, what they’re listening to, and how they’re styling their lives.
- Collaborative Spirit: Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Design, Planning, and Production. You are a mentor to junior talent (Assistant/Associate Buyers) and a strong communicator to leadership.
Other Details
- Work Location: Home Office – 5 days a week.
- Reports to: Senior Buyer or DMM.
- Manages: Assistant and/or Associate Buyers.
The Perks URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits EEO Statement URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.