Buyer (Merchant) - Kids
On-site Los Angeles, California, United States
SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear and everyday essentials. Built on a foundation of innovation, inclusivity and exceptional fit, SKIMS is redefining the apparel industry through thoughtfully designed products that prioritize comfort, quality and functionality.
As we continue to expand our product offering, SKIMS Kids represents an exciting opportunity to bring our signature approach to comfort, fit and innovation to a new generation.
Position Overview
SKIMS is seeking a commercially driven, highly analytical and product-passionate Buyer for SKIMS Kids to join our growing Merchandising & Buying team.
This individual will play a pivotal role in developing and executing compelling, commercially successful assortments for SKIMS Kids, helping establish and grow this exciting new category within the brand.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in children's apparel buying, with an excellent understanding of the kidswear market, consumer shopping behaviors, product trends and the unique considerations involved in buying for children across different age groups.
Working closely with Design, Product Development, Planning, Allocation and cross-functional partners, the Buyer will be responsible for building thoughtful, customer-focused assortments that reflect the SKIMS brand DNA while driving revenue, profitability and inventory productivity.
This is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial merchant who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and is passionate about building a new category from the ground up.
Buying & Assortment Strategy
- Develop and execute seasonal buying strategies for SKIMS Kids, aligned with the overall brand vision, financial objectives and growth plans.
- Build commercially compelling assortments across assigned children's product categories, balancing comfort, functionality, quality and style.
- Partner with Merchandising, Design and Product Development to influence seasonal product direction, ensuring assortments meet customer needs and commercial opportunities.
- Own assortment architecture, including product breadth, depth, pricing, size ranges, color and silhouette strategies.
- Develop a strong understanding of age-specific product requirements, sizing considerations and purchasing patterns across the children's apparel market.
- Identify opportunities for new product introductions, category expansion and assortment optimization.
- Establish the appropriate balance of core essentials, seasonal collections, fashion-driven products and replenishment opportunities.
- Support the development of assortments that translate the SKIMS aesthetic into age-appropriate, functional and commercially relevant children's products.
Financial & Commercial Performance
- Partner closely with Planning to develop and manage seasonal open-to-buy (OTB) budgets, sales forecasts and inventory investments.
- Drive sales, gross margin, sell-through and inventory productivity across assigned categories.
- Analyze weekly, monthly and seasonal business performance, identifying trends, risks and growth opportunities.
- Make data-driven recommendations regarding replenishment, markdowns, product exits and future assortment investments.
- Monitor performance at the SKU, category, size and channel level, using insights to inform future buying decisions.
- Develop pricing strategies that balance competitive positioning, customer expectations and profitability.
- Identify opportunities to maximize sales and margin while maintaining healthy inventory levels.
- Support long-term financial planning and category growth strategies as SKIMS Kids continues to expand.
Consumer, Product & Market Insights
- Develop a deep understanding of the SKIMS Kids customer, including the purchasing behaviors and preferences of parents, caregivers and gift purchasers.
- Monitor children's apparel trends, competitor assortments, emerging brands and market developments.
- Conduct regular competitive analysis, pricing reviews and product benchmarking.
- Understand the unique product considerations within children's apparel, including fit, comfort, durability, functionality and size progression.
- Partner with Product Development and Quality teams to ensure assortments meet applicable children's apparel safety, labeling and regulatory requirements.
- Translate customer feedback, product performance and market insights into actionable buying recommendations.
- Identify opportunities to introduce innovative products and expand the SKIMS Kids offering while maintaining a consistent brand identity.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with Design, Product Development and Merchandising to align product creation with commercial priorities and consumer demand.
- Partner with Planning and Allocation to optimize inventory investments, size curves and product availability.
- Work alongside Marketing, E-commerce, Retail and Creative teams to support product launches, seasonal campaigns and key commercial initiatives.
- Participate in seasonal milestone meetings, assortment reviews, line presentations and go-to-market planning.
- Communicate category strategies, financial performance and buying recommendations to senior leadership.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships to ensure alignment on product strategy, launch timelines and business priorities.
- Support the successful integration and expansion of SKIMS Kids across existing and emerging sales channels.
Operational Excellence
- Manage buying calendars, purchase order processes and key merchandising milestones to ensure timely execution.
- Maintain accurate assortment plans, buying documentation, product information and financial reporting.
- Monitor inventory flow, delivery schedules and product availability, proactively identifying risks and opportunities.
- Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to ensure product launches and seasonal deliveries remain on schedule.
- Identify opportunities to improve buying processes, reporting tools and operational efficiencies.
- Establish scalable buying practices and processes to support the continued growth of SKIMS Kids.
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, Retail Management or a related field preferred.
- 5–7+ years of progressive buying or merchandising experience, with a background in children's apparel.
- Proven experience managing kids wear assortments and delivering against sales, margin and inventory targets.
- Strong understanding of the children's apparel market, including sizing, age segmentation, seasonality and consumer purchasing behaviors.
- Experience developing and managing assortment plans, open-to-buy budgets, sales forecasts and inventory strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret financial data and translate insights into commercially successful buying decisions.
- Experience within a high-volume, multi-channel retail or direct-to-consumer environment preferred.
- Strong understanding of product development timelines, garment construction, fabrications and quality considerations specific to children's apparel.
- Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in merchandising, planning and reporting systems.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
- Experience launching new product categories or scaling an emerging business is highly desirable.
- A genuine passion for product, children's fashion and the SKIMS brand.
What We're Looking For
- A Kidswear Expert: Someone with a strong understanding of the children's apparel market, including product, fit, sizing, consumer behavior and competitive positioning.
- A Product-Obsessed Merchant: An individual who loves product, understands what makes a successful assortment and can translate the SKIMS brand identity into a compelling children's offering.
- Commercially Minded: A strong financial thinker who understands how buying decisions impact sales, profitability and inventory productivity.
- Analytical & Decisive: Comfortable interpreting data, identifying opportunities and making confident, informed commercial decisions.
- Entrepreneurial: Excited by the opportunity to build a new category, establish processes and contribute to the long-term growth of SKIMS Kids.
- Collaborative: A natural partner who builds strong relationships and works effectively across Design, Product Development, Planning, Marketing and Operations.
- Agile & Adaptable: Energized by a fast-paced, evolving environment and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Detail-Oriented & Accountable: Someone who takes ownership, follows through and consistently delivers high-quality work.
Why SKIMS?
SKIMS is one of the fastest-growing brands in the apparel industry, known for challenging conventions, redefining essentials and creating innovative products that resonate with consumers around the world.
As part of the SKIMS Kids team, you will have the unique opportunity to help build and shape an exciting new category, influencing product strategy, assortment development and commercial growth from the ground up.
We are looking for individuals who are ambitious, curious, collaborative and excited to contribute to the next chapter of SKIMS.
Benefits and Culture
- Up to 100% Company Paid Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
- Kind Body Fertility Benefits
- 401(k) savings plan with up to 4% match
- Unlimited PTO
- Full Access to LinkedIn learning
- Employee Discounts
Perks (HQ Location)
- Free weekly catered lunch at HQ – M/T/W/Th
- Dog-Friendly office on a Thursday and Friday
- Free Swag Giveaways
- Annual Holiday Party
- Annual Summer Party
- Invitations to pop-ups and other company events
- Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages