Buying Manager

Role Purpose:

As the buying manager for furniture you will manage and drive the creative and process functions of the buying cycle across the Upholstery/ Cabinet & Accessories department. You will lead you team through the key stages of the buying process by planning all strategy, range review and sign off processes and critical path whilst ensuring partnership decisions are supported by the Merchandise managers. You will ensure you are the key link between the strategy and parameters set by the Head of Buying whilst communicating recommendations of the Buyers and Junior Buyers to ensure a collaborative and cohesive buying plan is maintained.

What we are looking for:

As the Buying Manager, you will have an established background as an existing manager level or Senior Buyer ready for the next challenge with a flair and passion for furniture. You will be a strong team leader and mentor with a solid knowledge of the furniture industry and particularly strong product development experience of the relevant category. You will be creative, innovative with a highly commercial approach to drive forward the furniture department to achieve sales targets and margin. You must be a strong negotiator and have the ability to influence those around you whilst creating strong cross functional relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the management of the buying cycle across the total furniture department, spanning Cabinet, Dining, Occasional and saleable accessories.
• Driving growth within Cabinet, Dining and occasional through maximisation of range scale, new substrates, price points and style.
• Managing market observations and defining and developing exclusive product ranges that strategically are supported by thorough range analysis
• Maintaining and enhancing further product cohesion across sub departments
• Maximise sales opportunities both instore and online by showcasing of breadth of range
• Considered and educational product knowledge to be cascaded simply and effectively through to the retail team and consumer.
• To build and maintain strong internal cross functional relationships throughout the UK and international sites communicating all areas of change that impacts these departments.
• Management of service level agreements between both direct and DHD suppliers.
• Managing store, customer service and quality manager’s feedback via Supplier to ensure preventative actions are put in place.

What you will need:

• Previous Buying experience at either Buying Manager or Senior Buyer level is essential
• Current Dining / Cabinet product knowledge required
• A passion for creative product development and understanding of required quality and compliance expectations
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-motivation and the ability to work within a high pressured faced paced environment
• Strong organisational skills
• Flexibility in regards to travel needs of the business, you will be required to travel through the UK for store visits, European and Far East Travel.
• Full UK driving license required due to travel needs within department