Associate Buyer

About SHEIN 

SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering SHEIN branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, with more than 15,000 employees operating from offices around the world, SHEIN is committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, promoting its industry-leading, on-demand production methodology, for a smarter, future-ready industry. 

Position Summary 

We’re seeking a full-time Associate Buyer for our Los Angeles-based corporate office. They will be a highly motivated, adaptable Associate Buyer. This position offers long-term growth potential compared to a traditional production coordinator role. The ideal candidate will be trained from the ground up on core merchandising and visual workflows.

The Associate Buyer will begin by supporting the Senior Buyer, learning SHEIN’s buying processes and merchandising approach through hands-on involvement, with opportunities to take on greater ownership and responsibility over time. The Associate Buyer will coordinate the end-to-end sample lifecycle, assist with product styling and outfit coordination, build photoshoot presentations, and manage new item launch linking systems. This role serves as a dynamic operational backbone, supporting administrative and logistical workflows to ensure product readiness, data accuracy, and visually compelling launches.

Job Responsibilities

Styling & Photoshoot Support  

• Trend & Styling Alignment: Assist the Senior Buyer with daily product styling, outfit combinations, and visual coordination, developing a strong eye for trend execution from the ground up.
• Photoshoot Asset Preparation: Prepare the photoshoot presentation (PPT) at least one week in advance, including finalized product lists and curated outfit pairings for manager review.
• Studio Coordination: Coordinate with the Creative and Studio teams to schedule and prepare for upcoming photoshoots based on incoming sample arrivals.
• Sample Readiness: Ensure all clothing, shoes, and accessory samples required for photoshoots are organized, labeled, and tracked to ensure they are ready for on-set utilization.
• Studio Alignment: Partner with the Creative and Studio teams to ensure the photoshoot schedule runs smoothly without delays.
• Issue Resolution: Track and communicate any missing or delayed samples to the relevant teams promptly, adjusting shoot schedules as needed to minimize production downtime.

New Item Launch & Linking Management

• Launch Schedule Oversight: Monitor the weekly new item launching schedule to ensure all SKC targets are met accurately and on time.
• Weekly Plan Submissions: Submit the comprehensive launch plan every Wednesday for the following week, integrating new items, recolors, and required outfit linkings.
• Pre-Launch Readiness Audits: Review each day’s launch readiness at least one business day prior to going live, double-checking product linking, imagery, measurements, and inventory.
• Data Correction: Actively identify and communicate linking errors, missing measurements, or readiness concerns to backend teams before strict deadlines.
• Tracking & Reporting: Maintain and update launch trackers with real-time status updates, delays, and revised timelines.
• Goal Alignment: Align weekly and monthly launch progress with merchandising goals to share reports with management.

Sample Room Operations & Inventory Control

• Sample Intake & Labeling: Coordinate the receiving, labeling, organization, and categorization of all seasonal and recutting samples.
• Systematic Inventory Categorization: Maintain the sample room inventory structure by grouping styles systematically by category (e.g., tops, dresses, bottoms) and specific launch periods.
• Purging & Maintenance: Conduct routine audits to identify and remove outdated, damaged, or duplicate samples to optimize space.
• Sample Tracking & Accountability: Organize, label, and track samples needed for photoshoots and product launches to support sample readiness and accountability.
• Photo Documentation: Provide weekly progress updates and clean sample room photo documentation every Friday by 4:00 PM.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Workflow Optimization

• Communication Bridge: Serve as a key point of contact between Merchandising, Creative/Studio, and backend teams to keep product data, measurements, samples, and timelines aligned.
• Risk Mitigation: Track and report operational bottlenecks that may delay product launches or shoots, proactively proposing flexible corrective actions.
• Digital Archiving: Maintain impeccably organized shared folders and documentation for weekly and monthly launch history records.
• Process Efficiency: Support continuous improvement by suggesting workflow efficiencies across launch operations and sample management.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, Creative Arts, or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• 1-3+ years of experience in retail, merchandising, product development, or production support.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, shared drive management, and basic product tracking systems.
• Strong foundational interest in fashion trends, commercial styling, and visual presentation.
• Exceptional attention to detail, rigorous organizational habits, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, manage moving parts, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively throughout the organization.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff and management.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with short timelines and changing priorities.
• Strong sense of urgency balanced with a highly meticulous approach to data and deadlines.
• Collaborative, proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• A positive, motivated individual who is comfortable troubleshooting issues and supporting changing business priorities.

Benefits and Perks 

• Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) 
• Health Savings Account with Employer Funding 
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent care) 
• Company-Paid Basic Life/AD&D insurance 
• Company-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
• Voluntary Benefit Offerings (Voluntary Life/AD&D, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident) 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Business Travel Accident Insurance 
• 401(k) Savings Plan with discretionary company match and access to a financial advisor  
• Vacation, paid holidays, floating holiday and sick days   
• Employee discounts 
• Free weekly catered lunch 
• Dog-friendly office (available at select locations) 
• Free gym access (available at select locations) 
• Free swag giveaways 
• Annual Holiday Party 
• Invitations to pop-ups and other company events 
• Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages

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