Senior Buyer-12Months FTC

Dunelm; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Dunelm is seeking a Senior Buying Lead to shape ranges and trading strategies. You’ll lead a talented team, partner with designers, suppliers and stores, and translate data into commercial decisions that delight customers.

With a hybrid work culture, you’ll work three days a week in the office or on-site in Leicester, driving supplier negotiations, category plans, and growth across your product area.

Qualifications

• Proven buying experience
• Passion for homewares
• Creative flair
• Growth mindset
• Detail-oriented
• Strong communicator
• Confident negotiator
• Organised and prioritised
• Curious and open

Responsibilities

• Lead with heart and purpose – guide and upskill a talented team
• Co-create and deliver short and long term category strategies
• Champion innovation with key stakeholders to bring fresh ideas to life
• Oversee option planning, product mix and price architecture
• Spot trends using data and market research to identify opportunities
• Develop and nurture long-term partnerships across our supply chain

Skills

Buying experience

Category management

Negotiation

Stakeholder mgmt

Data-driven

Trend analysis

Tools

Excel

Job description

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 we’ve crafted a workplace that feels just as welcoming – where you can bring your ideas, be yourself, and feel right at home.

With us, buying isn’t about chasing bargains and merchandising isn’t about pushing an endless parade of promotions. We do things differently. With us, it’s about creativity, instinct, and a real passion for home. We’re experts at understanding trends and performance - making quick decisions that keep our products and layouts perfectly timed, perfectly designed and perfectly marketed.

You will be joining a talented team of Buyers, Merchandisers and Designers.

The Commercial Team environment is fast-paced and energetic. We are positive, ambitious, forward-looking and data driven. We have to take calculated risks, to keep growing market share.

You will be a key member of the Commercial Team, accountable for executing the trading and sourcing strategy for your product department.

Work your way, together

We’re a hybrid business, which means you’ll have flexibility alongside time together with your team. In this role, you can expect 3 days a week in the office or on-site, helping you stay connected, collaborate and do your best work for our customers.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading with heart and purpose– You’ll guide and upskill a talented team, nurturing future stars and building a strong succession plan.
• Thinking big (and small) – Co-create and deliver short and long term category strategies that excite our customers and keep us ahead of the curve.
• Championing innovation – Work hand-in-hand with key stakeholders to bring fresh ideas to life, challenge the norm, and make our ranges stand out in the market.
• Building brilliant ranges – Oversee option planning, product mix and price architecture, always with the customer front and centre.
• Spotting trends before they trend – Use data, market research and a keen eye to identify opportunities and steer the team towards smart, strategic decisions.
• Growing global relationships – Develop and nurture long‑term partnerships across our supply chain, including overseas travel when needed.
• Exploring new horizons – Seek out new factories and partners that meet our high technical and ethical standards.
• Driving impactful negotiations with confidence and skill – Maximise profit and efficiency by tendering ranges and improving commercial terms with existing suppliers.
• Owning the numbers– Manage budgets, plan PLC margins end-to‑end, and propose trading actions that boost performance.
• Bringing products to life – Sign off new products and promotional calendars that deliver great value and excitement across departments.
• Collaborating across the business – Work closely with marketing, digital and stores to make sure our strategies shine everywhere our customers shop.
• Focusing on quality – Partner with our Quality team to ensure products meet spec, resolve issues quickly, and improve our supply base to be more ethical and sustainable.

What we’ll look for in you:

We’re looking for someone who’s got a sharp eye for product, a head for strategy, and a heart for home. If you love homewares and know your way around a buying plan, this could be your kind of role.

Here’s what makes you a great fit:

Proven buying experience – You’ve worked in buying and know how to spot a great product, build a brilliant range, and make commercial decisions that count.

Passion for home – You genuinely care about creating beautiful, functional products that make people feel good in their space. You bring energy, ideas and a drive to keep things fresh.

Creative flair – You’ve got a good eye and love working with designers, technologists and suppliers to bring new and exciting products to life.

Growth mindset – You’re entrepreneurial, accountable and always looking for ways to improve and grow – both the business and yourself.

Detail-oriented – You notice the little things that make a big difference.

Strong communicator – You’re clear, confident and collaborative, able to influence senior stakeholders and build strong relationships across the business and with suppliers.

Action-focused – You know how to set direction, get buy-in and make things happen – fast.

Team player – You believe in the power of working together, and you’re great at bringing people along with you.

Confident negotiator – You’ve got a track record of handling complex negotiations and landing great outcomes.

Organised and prioritised – You can juggle multiple projects and know what needs your attention first.

Curious and open – You’re not afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from others. You’re also happy to offer support when someone else needs a hand.