Buyer - Homewares
Manchester
Role Purpose
Responsible for the sourcing and development of new products for the Home Furnishings category for both branded ranges and own label ranges for key customers.
This will include extending current product ranges - Curtains, Cushions & Throws and sourcing new product categories which are relevant and complement existing Home Furnishings range.
Key Responsibilities
Sourcing and development of Home Furnishings ranges
- Working with the Senior Buyer, Design & Commercial team to source and develop innovative products which are relevant for each of our Brands
- Analyse the market, competitors, and consumer trends, identifying new product opportunities which enhance the existing product portfolio
- Develop Good/Better/Best strategy across the brand portfolio, ensuring clear price architecture.
- Ensure sustainability is at the forefront of all sourcing decisions were practical, looking for new innovative ways to extend our sustainable product offer.
- Work collaboratively with Design and Commercial team to ensure strong range build, to develop a strategic, innovative product offer aligned to the Brand and Marketing strategy.
- Ensure all Brands include innovation, core product and promotional opportunities to help grow our offer and customer selections.
Sourcing and development of own label Home Furnishings product for Key Customers
- Sourcing new, innovative, and commercially viable products internationally to grow the account
- Work with Senior Buyer, Commercial and Buying team from sourcing to selection ensuring a smooth transition of selected products into production.
- Liaising with Quality to ensure quality standards are met.
- Develop both core and promotional product.
- Negotiate with Suppliers to achieve commercial targets.
Maintain and develop sourcing of all Home Furnishing products
- Maximise value and profitability by developing sourcing and procuring the optimum quality products at the best market value rates.
- Manage and develop agent and supplier relationships, working with Design, Production and Quality to ensure correct product design specification and supply chain compliance.
- Work closely with Design team to innovate
- Be readily available to make international factory visits, routinely planned to support customer selection calendars.
- Work cross functionally to support the delivery of sales targets and profit maximisation.
Work cross functionally with Design, Commercial, Production, QC and Merchandising
- Support Senior Buyer to effectively communicate new product development to the rest of the business
- Support Senior Buyer on critical path management to ensure all development timelines are met and product information is accurately captured
- Manage and develop supplier relationships, working hand in hand with Design, Production and Quality to ensure correct product design specification and supply chain compliance.
- Work cross functionally to support the delivery of sales targets and profit maximisation, whilst minimising working capital, particularly stock holdings.
- Support Product Development Assistant to capture product development administration and sample management
- Support Product Development Assistant to archive all development samples
Qualifications, Personal Attributes and Experience
Textile industry experience, primarily focusing on homeware.
Demonstrable knowledge of the homeware marketplace in retail, mail order and eCommerce.
A good communicator
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to organise a busy workload and meet deadlines.