Entry Category Buyer

About the role

The Iconic is one of Australia's most recognised online fashion and lifestyle retailers, serving millions of customers across the country and beyond. The Entry Category Buyer will take responsibility for managing product assortment and commercial strategy within a specific product category assigned to them. This role works hand in hand with senior buyers, merchandising planners, and commercial teams to ensure that the right products are available at the right time and at the right price point. Based in Sydney, the position offers a structured introduction to the end-to-end buying process within a digital-first retail environment that moves quickly and rewards initiative.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Support the senior buyer in planning and executing seasonal product ranges for your assigned category across all sales channels.
• Analyse weekly and monthly sales data alongside inventory levels to identify gaps, trends, and new opportunities within the category.
• Collaborate directly with external brands and suppliers to negotiate product terms, lead times, and secure new commercial partnerships.
• Attend domestic and international trade shows and conduct market visits to stay informed about emerging trends and competitor activity.
• Assist in the creation of detailed product briefs that clearly communicate the brand vision and commercial objectives to sourcing teams.
• Monitor markdown, promotion, and clearance performance to recommend timely adjustments to pricing, positioning, and inventory allocation strategies.
• Work closely with the planning and allocation team to ensure accurate demand forecasting and efficient stock distribution across online and physical channels.
• Contribute to regular range review meetings by presenting data-driven insights and actionable recommendations for assortment optimisation and margin improvement.
• Help manage the end-to-end onboarding process for new vendors, ensuring all compliance, quality, and contractual standards are met before launch.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings with marketing, digital, and customer experience teams to align product launches with broader campaign timelines.
• Coordinate with the logistics and fulfilment team to resolve any supply chain issues that may affect product availability or delivery timelines.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly category performance reports for senior leadership, highlighting key metrics and recommended strategic adjustments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, fashion, commerce, marketing, or a related field is required for this position.
• 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in retail buying, merchandising, category management, or a similar commercial role.
• Strong analytical skills with the proven ability to interpret complex sales reports, margin data, and financial performance metrics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for building and maintaining productive relationships with both internal teams and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced, target-driven retail environment with competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and a working familiarity with retail planning, buying, or merchandise management software systems.
• A genuine and sustained interest in fashion, lifestyle products, or the broader retail industry and consumer trends.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for trade events, supplier meetings, market visits, or other business-related activities as needed.

Nice to have

• Prior hands-on experience working with Australian or international fashion brands, designers, or lifestyle product suppliers in a buying capacity.
• Familiarity with data visualisation and business intelligence tools such as Tableau or Power BI for creating detailed retail reports.
• Understanding of sustainability principles and ethical sourcing practices within the retail sector and global supply chains.
• Additional language skills, particularly in Mandarin or other Asian languages, given the company's significant market presence and supplier relationships in that region.
• Experience with A/B testing or customer behaviour analysis to inform product selection and category growth strategies.

Skills & tools

• Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets for data analysis, modelling, and generating detailed retail performance reports.
• Retail buying and merchandising planning software such as Oracle Retail or similar enterprise-level platforms used in the industry.
• Enterprise resource planning systems for managing vendor relationships, purchase orders, and real-time inventory data across multiple channels.
• Presentation tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides for delivering range reviews, category updates, and strategic recommendations to stakeholders.
• Customer relationship management platforms for tracking brand partnerships, supplier interactions, and ongoing commercial negotiations over time.
• Basic knowledge of SQL or data querying languages for pulling custom reports and performing deeper analysis on retail databases.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time, on-site role based at The Iconic offices in Sydney, with regular in-office attendance expected throughout the working week.
• The hiring process typically includes multiple interview rounds with members of the buying team, the commercial leadership group, and senior stakeholders.
• Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific examples of category management, buying projects, or commercial decision-making from their previous professional experience.
• The Iconic is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply for this position.
• The role may involve occasional weekend or evening work during peak trading periods such as seasonal launches, major sales events, or end-of-season clearances.