Buyers Administrative Assistant

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, and Club Monaco, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands

Position Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Buying Assistant to join and contribute to a high-performing Womenswear team. The Buying Assistant role is a key support to the Buying team in achieving departmental financial plans and ensuring the seasonal strategies are realised from inception all the way to implementation in store.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

* Support to prepare all necessary documents and resources for major calendar meetings, including Hindsight, Buy Review and Sign Off.
* Data integrity and management of daily buying responsibilities: including building and maintaining any required tools and system management for the following; Deliveries, Pricing, Order Reconciliation. Ability to troubleshoot any issues and escalate to team and wider business where necessary.
* Autonomous Order Management from initial unit entry through to delivery into store. Close partnership with key stakeholders to monitor changes post sign-off; including style updates, MOQs and delivery movements. Agile Outlook and email management to maintain department critical path.
* Analyse business results in partnership with manager in preparation for seasonal buy. Develop the ability to draw top line conclusions and actions from analysis.
* Demonstrate and communicate awareness of retail landscape; conduct research on competitive set including pricing, style, and key messages.
* Support team in product selection process by preparing all necessary documents. Regularly edit and maintain the assortment sheets and visual documents to capture any changes to the line.
* Build relationships with cross-functional partners across Stores, Production, Merchandising and Creative to ensure the department critical path is maintained to the highest standard.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

* Highly organized whilst maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
* Ability to manage timelines and juggle priorities
* A strong team player with a results-driven attitude
* Passionate approach whilst being ambitious & career driven
* Strong analytical skills
* Awareness of product trends and current state of market
* Resilient with an agile and resourceful mindset, able to over-come challenges by focusing on solutions
* Advanced computer skills and knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint
* Effective communication skills at all levels, both written and spoken
* Previous experience in a similar Buying, Planning or Merchandising role is preferable