Director of Buying

Job Title: Director of Buying
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Position Overview:
We are looking for a dynamic Director of Buying to lead product strategy, assortment planning, and financial performance across categories. This role requires a balance of creativity and business acumen, ensuring collections resonate with the brand’s identity while meeting customer demand and revenue goals. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in luxury or contemporary fashion, with proven leadership experience in guiding buying and merchandising teams and collaborating across departments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and implement strategic buying and merchandising initiatives that drive sales, profitability, and overall brand growth.

• Lead assortment planning, product curation, and category strategies to reflect the brand’s vision and align with customer needs.

• Partner closely with Design, Production, and Marketing to deliver cohesive collections and effective go-to-market execution.

• Manage vendor relationships, including negotiation of pricing, terms, and exclusivity opportunities.

• Use sales data, market insights, and trend forecasting to guide informed decisions on product selection and inventory strategies.

• Oversee Open-to-Buy (OTB), inventory productivity, and SKU optimization to balance risk with growth potential.

• Collaborate with eCommerce and Retail teams to strengthen merchandising across all channels.

• Explore opportunities for new categories, innovation, and sustainability-driven initiatives.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of buyers and merchandisers, fostering creativity, accountability, and results-driven performance.

• Provide competitive insights and performance reporting to senior leadership to influence key business strategies.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or related field (MBA a plus).

• 8+ years of experience in buying and merchandising, preferably within luxury or contemporary fashion; 3+ years in a leadership capacity.

• Strong expertise in financial planning, forecasting, and inventory management.

• Keen awareness of industry trends, consumer behavior, and the competitive market landscape.

• Skilled in vendor negotiations and relationship management.

• Demonstrated leadership with experience managing cross-functional teams.

• Highly organized with a strong eye for product, aesthetics, and storytelling.

• Proficiency in retail analytics, financial modeling, and Microsoft Excel.

• Passion for fashion, craftsmanship, and innovation.