We are seeking a proactive and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join our expanding furniture business. We are also open to considering applications from more experienced Buyers, with salary to reflect experience.
Reporting directly to the Head Buyer, you will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination of product development, supplier relationships, and range management, ensuring our product offering remains commercially competitive and aligned with customer demand.
With a dedicated Merchandiser managing inventory and a Logistics team overseeing shipping, you’ll have the space to focus on product excellence and supplier relationships.
Key Responsibilities
· Critical Path & Supplier Management: Play a key role in coordinating the buying critical path. You will help monitor every stage of the product journey - from design to shipment - ensuring suppliers meet all deadlines and flagging any risks to the Head Buyer.
· Sample Ownership & Quality Control: Coordinate the sample process from end-to-end. You will request, track, and inspect samples against technical specifications, ensuring they meet our high standards before they reach the showroom floor.
· Technical Oversight (Packaging & Assembly): Carefully review assembly instructions for clarity and accuracy. You will also oversee packaging specifications to ensure goods are protected for transit, minimising the risk of damages.
· Creative & Marketing Liaison: Act as the bridge between Buying and Marketing. You will ensure products are "camera ready" for photoshoots, check technical product descriptions, and ensure the website launch for new ranges is seamless and accurate.
· Quality Feedback Loop: Work closely with the Customer Service and Warehouse teams to monitor returns data. You will identify recurring product issues and work directly with Head Buyer and suppliers to implement production fixes.
· Market & Competitor Intelligence: Conduct regular competitor "shop" reports and price benchmarking. You will provide the Head Buyer with detailed analysis of market trends to ensure our range remains the most competitive in the UK.
· Sourcing & Trade Show Preparation: Assist in researching new factories and product categories. You will also manage the administrative preparation for international sourcing trips and trade shows, including range-performance reporting and itinerary planning.
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Requirements
· Experience: 1–2 years of experience within a retail buying office. Experience in furniture, big-ticket items, or home categories is highly preferable.
· Organisation: A natural organiser with the ability to track a high volume of moving parts - including samples, technical files, and strict deadlines - with precise attention to detail.
· Communication & Negotiation: Confident and professional communication style; capable of acting as the daily point of contact for a global supplier base.
· Analytical & IT Skills: High proficiency in Microsoft Excel (data analysis and reporting) and the ability to quickly adapt to internal ERP/Buying systems.
· Reliability & Flexibility: Based at our Basildon HQ (5 days per week during probation), with scope to transition to a 4-day office / 1-day remote hybrid schedule upon successful completion of your probationary period. Requirements include occasional travel to our stores and warehouses, as well as attending international trade shows as needed (China, Vietnam, and Europe).
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What We Offer
· Clear career progression towards a Junior Buyer/Buyer role within a dynamic, swiftly expanding company.
· A collaborative and supportive team culture.
· Company Events
· Casual Dress
· Company Pension
· Employee Discount
How to Apply: Please send your CV to [email protected] FAO: Head Buyer
Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Have you worked within furniture, homeware, or a similar retail sector before? If yes, please specify.
- Have you used any buying, stock management, or ERP systems? If yes, which ones?
Experience:
- Buying : 1 year (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Basildon SS14
