Junior Buyer: Upholstery

jlp; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night premium

Hybrid working

Job summary

JLP, London Pimlico Head Office, is seeking a Junior Buyer to drive commercial results in upholstery. You will work with Merchandising to create high-performing assortments, negotiate margins with suppliers, and bring own-brand and branded designs to life. The role offers a hybrid pattern with a 3‑day‑per‑week office presence.

Night premium applies for hours 22:00–06:00 (£4.75 per hour) and the role is a secondment until October 2027, with a salary up to £36,000 per annum depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Extensive product development and brand management experience.
• Experience in buying, category management or product management in upholstery.
• Strong negotiation skills with suppliers to secure favourable terms.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Work at pace within a collaborative Buying Manager-led environment with cross-functional teams.
• Decide product assortment development, sourcing, brand positioning, pricing and margins.
• Ensure product range commercial success through range planning and in-season trading.
• Maintain up-to-date market knowledge and predict future market dynamics.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and ensure compliance with terms.

Skills

Product development

Brand management

Retail buying

Negotiation

Communication

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Ready to take a cushy new step in your retail career? We are looking for an ambitious Junior Buyer who knows how to drive serious commercial results. In this role you won't just be sitting back, you'll work side‑by‑side with Merchandising to stitch together high-performing assortments, negotiate plump margins with suppliers, and bring market-leading own-brand and branded designs to life. If you have a passion for upholstery, sharp commercial instincts, and a competitive edge, we'd love to hear from you.

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

Salary up to: £36,000.00 per annum dependant on skill and experience

Contract type: This is a secondment opportunity until October 2027

Hours and location of the role: 35 hours per week
Your home location will be our London, Pimlico Head Office
This is a hybrid working role. The expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as team collaboration is critical in this role - core days vary between teams

Key responsibilities

• You will work at pace and agility within a collaborative environment with your Buying Manager, Trade Planning, Trading & Product Operations team, Design and Product Technology. Externally you will hold a strong relationship with your suppliers and Brands


• With guidance from your Buying Manager, you will be accountable for making all decisions on the product assortment: development, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins. These will be in line with category and customer strategy. In collaboration with merchandising, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the supplier and Brands


• You will be accountable for the commercial success of a product range as defined and agreed with your Buying Manager and the commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in-season trading


• You will ensure you have up to date expert market knowledge for the category and can predict future market dynamics


• You will be accountable for building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, ensuring that they adhere to the required standards and agreed terms


• You will be expected to task manage, coach and provide feedback to your team's Buying Assistants


• Responsible for all commercial negotiations inclusive of marketing funds (Media Sales team responsible for implementation & briefing (on-site + agencies))


• Support the Buying Manager in building a product strategy


• Develop and buy market leading own brand and branded ranges managing product lifecycle from launch to exit of product ranges


• Collaborate with specialist functions to plan and develop ranges


• Collaborate with specialist functions to develop a sourcing strategy for your product assortment, delivering category margin targets & ensuring your supply base complies with all CSR and legal requirements


• Collaborate with Merchandiser to prepare, and share Standardised Range Plan in line with critical path to hand over to Central Operations Team


• Alongside Merchandiser, sign off product ranges and branch grading with Buying Manager and Head of Buying when required, using reporting from Product Operations


• Propose Balance To Achieve across commercial KPIs for the assortment each month in collaboration with the Merchandiser


• Work with the Merchandisers in your team to ensure Buying office negotiated rebates targets are achieved


• Work with and comply with all critical path requirements as necessary


• Support projects as required to support category customer experience


• Manage relationships with central teams to support outcomes

Essential skills and/or experience you’ll need

• Extensive product development and brand management experience


• Proven experience in the retail industry with a focus on buying, category management, or product management within Upholstery. Direct experience in buying practices, merchandising strategies, and supplier negotiations is critical for this role


• Strong negotiation skills and experience in leading strategic commercial negotiations with suppliers and vendors to secure favourable terms and agreements, maximising value and profitability for the category in your remit


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate ideas, negotiate agreements, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Desirable skills and/or experience you may have

• Category specific knowledge or experience

Closing Date

September 20, 2026

Pay

£34,000.00 - £51,100.00 Annual

Contract Type

Temporary

Hours of Work

35 hours a week, Monday to Friday

Job Level

Partnership Level 8

Where You’ll Be Working

London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, , SW1V 2QQ