Buyer - Homewares

Encore Recruitment Limited; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is searching for a Homewares Buyer in West Yorkshire, offering a hybrid work setup. In this hands-on role, you will lead the development of unique and commercially viable homewares ranges. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of experience in buying, strong negotiation skills with global suppliers, and a passion for creative autonomy in product selection. This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in buying for homewares or related categories.
• Experience in product development or working with manufacturers.
• Strong analytical abilities to optimise trading performance.

Responsibilities

• Create and develop commercially viable homewares ranges.
• Build and manage supplier relationships globally.
• Own the critical path, ensuring timely product launches.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for product presentation.
• Lead and support the Buyers Assistant in skill development.

Skills

3+ years experience in buying

Product development

Strong commercial abilities

Confident negotiator

Experience in multi-channel retail

Job description

Homewares Buyer

West Yorkshire (hybrid working)

The Homewares Buyer will lead and develop the home offering across textiles, décor, soft furnishings, lighting and furniture. You will blend own‑brand product development with off‑the‑shelf sourcing to build ranges that feel unique for the customer : eclectic, colourful, story‑driven and remarkable. This is not a traditional corporate buying role — it's creative, varied, hands‑on and ideal for someone who loves autonomy, pace and making things happen.

Key Responsibilities

• Range Development & Product Creation: Create exciting, commercially viable homewares ranges across multiple categories; drive a mix of own‑brand product development (textiles strongly preferred) and bought‑in product selection; continually research trends, themes, materials and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities; present proposals and range builds to senior leadership for sign‑off.
• Supplier Management & Sourcing: Build and maintain strong supplier relationships globally; lead supplier meetings – develop product, negotiate cost prices, minimum quantities and delivery dates; assess quality, sustainability, compliance and ethical considerations across all products.
• Trading, Planning & Critical Path: Own the critical path end‑to‑end, ensuring all products launch on time; place all initial orders in line with forecasts and targets; maintain 100 % accuracy in product data, costing and style setup; analyse performance to maximise opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work with Creative, Photography and Design teams to deliver brilliant online and catalogue imagery; liaise with Digital Trading, Web Merchandising and Marketing to optimise product presentation; support Direct Mail themes with cohesive storytelling and product selection; present your range to external partners for wholesale and marketplace opportunities.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, support and develop the Buyers Assistant, nurturing skills and building capability.

Person Specification

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in buying for homewares, fashion or a related consumer product category.
• Demonstrable experience in product development and/or working with manufacturers (textiles advantageous).
• Strong commercial and analytical abilities to optimise trading performance.
• Confident negotiator with global supplier experience.
• Experience in multi‑channel retail.
• Experience in wholesaling or marketplace exposure.