Junior Buyer

Dunelm; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Dunelm is seeking a Junior Buyer to join their Buying team in Leicester. This hybrid role involves sales analysis, supplier negotiations, and range development, contributing to the company's mission of enhancing home life. Candidates should have proven buying experience, a passion for homewares, and strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Proven buying experience required, ideally as a buying assistant.
• Passionate about homewares and innovation.
• Excellent precision and detail orientation.

Responsibilities

• Analyse sales, profit, and margins to propose performance improvements.
• Assist in negotiating terms with suppliers and build strong relationships.
• Manage sub-category range planning and oversee product development.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Detail-Oriented

Action-Oriented

Organized

Communicative

Curious

Job description

Overview

Home. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home.

At Dunelm, that’s what we do.

We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.

Working as part of our Buying team, you'll work closely with our Merchandisers to ensure our products are in the right place, at the right time.You will help developing and selling products that represent fantastic value for money, offer great quality, are innovative and sustainable. You will also be responsible for trading ranges to optimise sales and profit and for developing strong relationships with our suppliers.

Personal Development

We want you to find your happy place here at Dunelm and have a successful career with us. From the day you start you will have the training and ongoing support you need, and this will continue as you progress in your career.

This role is the next step up in our career path. First, there's the Buying Assistant position, where we offer an 18-month training program to help you transition to becoming a Junior Buyer. Then, there's the Buyer role, where we provide a variety of specialised courses and training sessions to support your progression. It's all about helping you grow and develop.

This role is a hybrid opportunity.

We recruit people from all types of backgrounds, who share our entrepreneurial, hands-on approach to work. We are committed to creating a full inclusive environment that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value and importance in inclusion and diversity and welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of sex, age, race, religion, disability, neuro-diversity, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education.

What you'll be doing

• Sales & Performance Analysis:

  • Analyse sales, profit, and margins to propose actions for improving performance.
  • Conduct competitive pricing and gap analysis with the Merchandising team.

• Supplier Relations & Negotiations:

  • Assist in negotiating terms with suppliers, including costs, promotional support, and exit plans.
  • Build strong, long-term relationships with suppliers while ensuring the best deals for the company.

• Range Development:

  • Manage sub-category range planning, including web-exclusive products.
  • Research new trends, develop product ideas, and oversee range and price architecture.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Work with teams on product launches, ensuring timely packaging, photography, and critical path planning.
  • Partner with Visual Merchandising and Web teams to optimise product presentation in-store and online.

• Quality & Sustainability:

  • Ensure products meet quality standards, resolving issues in collaboration with the Quality team.
  • Drive sustainability and ethical practices within the supply base.

• Team & Detail Management:

  • Support and mentor the Buying Assistant.
  • Maintain accuracy in product details, costings, and specifications, ensuring all setup processes are completed flawlessly.

What we'll look for in you

• Proven buying experience- This role is at the second level in buying hierarchy at Dunelm, so previous experience as a buying assistant, admin buying is required.
• Passionate:Love for homewares,fueledby a drive to innovate and enhance our product offerings.
• Detail-Oriented:Excellent precision, ensuring every detail enhances our products.
• Range Building:Efficient at range building, Junior Buyers own the end-end range building for the department subcategory/categories.
• Commercial awareness:Good understanding of market and competition and commercial awareness.
• Communicative:Excellent communicator, adept at articulating ideas and directions clearly.
• Action-Oriented:Proactive mindset, delivering value swiftly while ensuring effective communication.
• Organized:Strong organizational skills, adept at prioritizing tasks efficiently
• Curious:Eager to learn, open to feedback, and unafraid to seek help when needed.