Assistant Buyer - Hybrid

1w1 week ago

Designer Brands

Columbus, US · Full-time · $55,000 – $75,000

About this role

At Designer Brands, proud parent of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, we operate nearly 675 stores and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. As an Assistant Buyer, you'll play a critical role where data, product, and customer insight shape assortments customers love. You'll support buying decisions impacting sales, inventory flow, and in-store experience.

Partnering closely with the Buyer, you'll manage day-to-day execution in the buying office. Analyze performance, track orders, support vendor communication, and help the team react to business trends. Turn strategy into action while staying agile as retail evolves.

Work cross-functionally with Planning to align on distribution and localize assortments by store group. Communicate directly with vendor partners on purchase order deliveries, style details, and sample management. Thrive in a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.

This hybrid role offers growth for those curious about retail trends and merchandising. Anchored by core values like “We Love What We Do” and “We Own What We Do,” build toward owning pieces of the business. Drive forward together, putting your best foot forward.

Requirements

Analytical skills to interpret retail selling reports by style and color
Proficiency in preparing performance recaps and insights for buying teams
Experience tracking Open to Buy (OTB) and managing order changes
Knowledge of retail merchandising, assortment planning, and distribution strategies
Ability to conduct competitive intelligence and trend analysis
Detail-oriented order entry and vendor communication skills
Familiarity with outdate processes and closeout order management

Responsibilities

Analyze selling reports and share insights by style and color to support buying decisions
Prepare recaps of business performance with recommended actions for weekly share-outs
Provide competitive intelligence, trend observations, pricing insights, and style analysis
Manage Open to Buy (OTB) changes and maintain accurate tracking
Enter orders accurately, selecting appropriate product attributes per assortment strategy
Localize assortments by store group using relevant sales trend information
Communicate with vendors on purchase order deliveries, style details, and sample management
Support preseason and in-season execution for timely key item deliveries

Benefits

Hybrid work schedule
Culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity
Core values: “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” “We Belong”
Work with iconic footwear brands through omni-channel infrastructure