Urban Outfitters Senior Buyer - Denim

Role Summary

Urban Outfitters is looking for a Senior Buyer in Denim. We're on a mission to Fuel The Next Generation of Individuality through the single most important item in their closet: killer denim. Urban Outfitters is making a huge, fun comeback as the ultimate retailer for youth culture, and we need a visionary Senior Buyer to lead the charge. You will be the architect of a customer-obsessed product mix that is bold, ahead of the curve, and commercially explosive.

 

We're looking for someone who lives and breathes the denim landscape—from the newest washes and sustainable tech to perfecting that perfect, can't-find-it-anywhere-else fit block. Your strategy will cement our spot as the place for youth denim. Think undeniable success stories: you’ll be capitalizing on the viral hysteria of the Kayla jean and making sure that UO's assortment and exclusive fits are unmatched. And you'll be the champion for BDG Denim, our own brand that proves premium quality doesn't have to break the bank.

 

If your decade of experience is backed by a relentless focus on data and a genuine, infectious passion for youth culture, it's time to drive a retail resurgence. This is your platform. Join us, and let’s shape what’s next—together!

Role Responsibilities

The Impact You'll Make: The Denim Guru

 

As Senior Buyer, Denim, you are the ultimate curator, strategist, and vibe-checker. Forget your personal favorites; you'll be using performance data and deep-dive market immersion to build an assortment of jeans, jackets, and bottoms that gets our customer base buzzing and makes our brand pop. Your responsibilities will include: 

 

Visionary Denim Assortment Strategy

• Architect the Mix: Create a balanced, brand-defining assortment by translating raw customer feedback, macro trends, and deep dives into denim construction/wash trends into one cohesive, commercially irresistible offering.
• Drive Key Item & Core Strength: You own the key item strategy, especially for viral fits and core blocks (like the Kayla!), to drive max sales and profit. Crush our core business while constantly dropping fashion newness, testing new silhouettes, and leading strategic online expansion to snatch up those web-exclusive wins.
• Fit & Quality Custodian: You’re the internal defender of UO’s proprietary denim, making sure the quality and fit are always on point so customers know they can only get this fit here.
• Brand & Private Label Balance: Juggle the mix of must-have branded denim and our own unique, margin-driving collections that propel BDG Denim to be the ultimate premium-yet-accessible star.

Cultural and Trend Forecasting

• Be the Pulse of Youth Culture: You need to be obsessed with fashion, style, and cultural movements. Watch the shows, read everything, and own the social conversation to stay at the cutting edge of denim micro-trends (think: the perfect rise, the next big leg shape, or breakthrough sustainable washes).
• Translate Trends into Action: Spot emerging trends before they blow up and instantly turn that insight into actionable, relevant denim product opportunities that define the season.

High-Impact Product Development

• Innovate Relentlessly: Inject a high volume of innovative and creative product ideas—with a keen eye on new fiber technology and finishing techniques for our BDG line—to support our aggressive brand goals.
• Collaborate for Perfection: Get those concepts runway-ready and strategically aligned by partnering closely with our exceptional in-house Design teams in the US and UK. Work seamlessly with Production to balance those big-dream design goals with the real-world stuff: quality, lead time, and value.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Own the Business: Proactively manage the Open to Buy (OTB) and use real-time trends to execute timely reorders (Kayla, we’re looking at you!), cancellations, and markdown strategies to maximize that sweet profitability.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Be a data champion. Analyze velocity, attributes (wash, rise, inseam), returns (with a focus on fit!), and markdowns to constantly optimize the assortment and mentor your team on using insights—not just gut feelings—to drive growth.
• Negotiate for Growth: Be a pro