Senior Buyer

Bensons for Beds; Accrington; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Medicash

Retail Trust services

Leave buy/sell scheme

Learning & development

Hybrid working

Job summary

Bensons for Beds is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead the end-to-end buying and Merchandising for our Mattresses & Softs / Beds & Furniture category. You’ll own commercial strategy, supplier relationships and range development to deliver a compelling, profitable offer for customers.

You’ll develop category strategies, manage supplier terms, and drive launches and store/online activations. Expect 3–5+ years in buying/merchandising with strong negotiation and analytical skills, in a hybrid working

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in buying/merchandising in related retail
• Strong commercial acumen with sales and margin improvements
• Excellent supplier negotiation experience
• Analytical mindset with sales, margin and inventory data
• Ability to influence stakeholders and deliver cross‑functional projects
• Proficient IT skills including Excel and ERP/PIM
• Experience of product development in beds/soft furnishings
• Knowledge of sustainability standards for furniture
• Understanding of online retail dynamics

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end buying and merchandising for assigned categories
• Develop category strategies, annual plans and promotional calendars
• Source and manage supplier relationships and negotiate terms
• Own range architecture, NPD, assortments and SKU rationalisation
• Collaborate with merchandising, product development, marketing and operations
• Analyse sales, margin and inventory to drive decisions
• Ensure compliance with trading policies and quality standards
• Mentor and develop junior buying team members

Skills

Buying & Merch

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder influence

Excel

ERP/PIM

Product development

Sustainability

Online retail

Tools

ERP/PIM

Excel

Job description

| Full Time | Permanent | £65,000 per annum + Bonus | Hybrid working

At Bensons for Beds we believe everyone deserves the best night’s sleep. As a Senior Buyer within our Mattresses & Softs / Beds & Furniture category, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping our product range, driving commercial performance and delivering exceptional value and quality for our customers.

Your Purpose

Lead the end-to-end buying and Merchandising process for assigned categories, owning commercial strategy, supplier relationships and range development to ensure a compelling, on-trend and profitable offer that meets customer needs and supports business targets.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and execute category strategies, annual plans and promotional calendars to achieve sales, margin and stock targets.
• Source and manage supplier relationships, negotiating commercial terms, lead times and service levels to optimise cost, quality and availability.
• Own range architecture and lifecycle decisions including NPD, assortments, pack sizes and SKU rationalisation.
• Work closely with merchandising, product development, marketing and operations to deliver successful product launches and store / online activations.
• Analyse sales, margin and inventory data to make informed buying decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with trading policies, quality standards and regulatory requirements across product ranges.
• Mentor and support junior buying team members, sharing commercial best practice and helping build capability.

What You Bring to the Sleepover

• Proven buying and merchandising experience within furniture, mattresses, soft furnishings or related retail categories (typically 3–5 years+).
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering sales and margin improvements.
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships.
• Analytical mindset with confidence using sales, margin and inventory reporting tools to drive decisions.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and deliver cross-functional projects on time.
• Good IT skills, including Excel and ERP/PIM systems.
• Experience of product development and specification within the beds, mattresses or softs sector.
• Knowledge of sustainability standards and initiatives relevant to furniture and soft homewares.
• Understanding of online retail dynamics and marketplace channels.

Here’s What You Get:

• Employee discount scheme for Bensons products (up to 50% off)
• Competitive pension scheme – provided by Legal & General
• Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Medicash – cashback options for health and wellbeing services
• Access to Retail Trust services for support and guidance
• Annual leave buy & sell scheme and enhanced family leave
• Learning and development programmes and clear progression pathways
• Hybrid working to support work-life balance