Home. There’s no place like it.
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.
Get stuck in from day one, and you’ll make a real difference. You’ll learn as you go, grow in confidence, and start taking small steps towards owning your own ranges. It’s lively, rewarding, and full of opportunities to learn and shine.
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.
The goal of Commercial is to drive sales and profit for Dunelm through sourcing the best quality products, at the best prices, from sustainable and ethical sources. The Commercial Team encompasses Buying, Merchandising, Sourcing, Technical and Design.
You will be a key member of the Commercial Team, accountable for executing the trading and sourcing strategy for your product department.
Develop Departmental Strategy:
- Use data and insights to enhance performance and customer experience.
- Analyse sales and profit, collaborate with the Merchandising team for historical performance, gap analysis, and competitive pricing.
- Work cross-functionally to identify opportunities for new products, quality improvements, sustainability, and visual merchandising.
Sales and Profit Management:
- Daily management and review of the sales and profit budget.
- Propose actions to improve performance.
- Negotiate with suppliers on costs, terms, rebates, and promotional support to boost sales and profit.
Range Building:
- Develop and manage the entire product range, including web exclusives.
- Research new products and trends, plan range and price architecture, and create exit plans.
Supplier Management:
- Build long-term relationships with suppliers, including overseas visits.
- Understand supply chain and production processes for better negotiation and cost-effectiveness.
Promotions and Merchandising:
- Manage promotions, negotiate deals with suppliers, and optimize sales and profit from promotional space.
- Work closely with Merchandising to optimise space, agree on rates of sale, and ensure timely delivery of new ranges.
Critical Path Planning:
- Plan critical paths for new range launches, marketing, and promotions.
- Ensure accurate product photography, packaging development, and attention to detail.
Collaboration with Web and Merchandising Teams:
- Work with the Web and Visual Merchandising teams to optimize in-store and online presentation.
- Lead a team, including junior buyers and Buyers Assistant, ensuring accurate product data.
Quality and Ethical Standards:
- Follow sampling processes and support Quality team with factory audits.
- Resolve quality issues, improve supply base ethics, and ensure Dunelm quality standards are met.
Category KPIs:
- Drive key performance indicators including sales, margin, availability, stock, mark down, contribution, market share, and returns rates.
Are you passionate about homewares and ready to play a critical role in growing our sales and profit? We’re looking for someone who can shape our product offer with creativity and innovation. Here’s what we’re looking for in you:
- You’re a seasoned professional with solid experience in Buying.
- You have a genuine love for homewares and the energy to constantly innovate and push our product range forward.
- Your attention to detail is second to none.
- You communicate effortlessly and effectively.
- You’re a natural leader, both within our team and with external partners.
- You have a “get things done” mindset, knowing how to steer the ship while delivering value quickly.
- Your stakeholder communication skills are top-notch, especially with senior members of Dunelm and our suppliers – you embody our "stronger together" approach.
- You have a proven track record in successfully navigating complex negotiations.
- You’re highly organised and can prioritise your workload with ease.
- You’re curious, always willing to listen and learn, and you’re not afraid to ask for help when needed.
