Furniture Buyer

Homemakers Furniture; Urbandale (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Homemakers Furniture is seeking a Buyer to drive sales and profitability through strategic assortment planning, vendor partnerships, and effective inventory management for both in-store and online channels. The role emphasizes data-driven buying decisions and strong collaboration with merchandising teams.

You will manage showroom presentation, analyze trends, and coordinate with design and marketing teams to optimize promotions and product placement.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and multi-task.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office suite for planning and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage showroom floor presentation, including product placement and rotation.
• Use sales reports and inventory data to inform buying decisions and strategy.
• Adjust assortment and inventory to meet customer needs and trends.
• Maintain stocking programs and monitor inventory levels; place POs as needed.
• Negotiate vendor pricing and terms, review freight, and maintain margins.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to support promotions and product direction.
• Coordinate with teams on display execution, lead times, and shipment discrepancies.
• Support retail teams by providing product and vendor information.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Multi-tasking

Tools

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about product selection, analyzing trends, and making data-driven decisions that impact the business? We're looking for a Buyer to help drive sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction through strategic assortment planning, vendor partnerships, inventory management, and merchandising execution. This role offers the opportunity to influence what our customers see and buy both in-store and online.

Job Summary: Increase sales and profitability of assigned specific product categories through correct product selection, display, price, and promotion for assigned location(s) and online. Be responsible for meeting Homemakers objectives and requirements pertaining to the buying and flow of goods, including inventory levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage showroom floor presentation, including product placement, rotation, and replacement of shop-worn items through various tools and reports as well as close collaboration with the visual design team.
• Use sales reports, inventory data, and demand planning tools help inform buying decisions and overall strategy.
• Adjust buying, assortment, and inventory quickly to support evolving customer needs and shifting market trends.
• Maintain stocking programs and inventory levels for floored and sold products; monitor item fulfillment and aged inventory, and place purchase orders as needed.
• Negotiate vendor pricing and terms, review freight rates, and ensure margins, profitability, and competitive retail pricing are maintained; execute promotions and markdowns as directed.
• Ensure merchandise unit sales and margins align with category goals and the company’s overall business plan.
• Execute the assortment plan for designated categories, including testing new product introductions and identifying items to drop.
• Complete, manage, and ensure compliance with vendor agreements, sale period utilization, and invoice accuracy.
• Build, maintain, and grow strong vendor partnerships; research and onboard new vendors and product lines.
• Maintain expert knowledge of assigned product lines, including construction, warranties, features, and benefits.
• Support Merchandising Coordinators in their focus to maintain accurate product attributes, photos, videos, and content for the website and internal systems; collaborate with IT, content, ecommerce, and site merchandising teams.
• Collaborate with marketing, advertising, social media, and merchandising teams to support promotions and customer needs.
• Select, and proof product for promotions based on advertising schedule in compliance with promotion focus and deadlines.
• Coordinate with floor stock, designers, receiving, and merchandising departments on display execution, lead times, POs, EDI, labeling, and shipment discrepancies.
• Support retail teams by providing valuable product and vendor information.
• Engage with customers and sales specialists to identify trends, customer needs, and product opportunities.
• Conduct competitive analysis through store visits and website reviews to evaluate pricing, assortment, and product direction.
• Participate in monthly walkthroughs and cross-functional collaboration to improve efficiency, safety, productivity, and performance.
• Follow all operational and safety procedures and provide feedback to management as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Ability to travel to market as needed
• Work Monday – Friday and/or as business needs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Word)
• Makes data driven decisions
• Pivots to support evolving customer needs
• Good interpersonal Skills
• Oral and written communication skills
• Ability to plan, organize, and multi-task

Physical Expectations

• Regular sitting, standing and/or walking
• Frequent talking and listening
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus

Environmental Conditions

• Will work indoors
• Conditions may include hot/cold temperatures, dusty surroundings and noisy work environment.

Behavioral Expectations Respect - Follows Homemakers Core Values of honesty and integrity, customer loyalty, quality products and services, teamwork and cost effectiveness. Motivation - Commitment to the assigned task. Sets and achieves desired outcomes; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Measures self against standard of excellence. A self-starter. Takes calculated risks to accomplish objectives. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Applies feedback to improve performance. Monitors own work to ensure quality. Quantity - Willing to work with a sense of urgency. Meets productivity objectives; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity. Teamwork - Demonstrates a willingness to work with a team. Adaptability - Demonstrates a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and work flow. Attendance - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Requirements

• Ability to travel to market as needed
• Work Monday – Friday and/or as business needs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Word)
• Makes data driven decisions
• Pivots to support evolving customer needs
• Good interpersonal Skills
• Oral and written communication skills
• Ability to plan, organize, and multi-task