Buying Assistant-6 Months FTC

The Commercial team are responsible for sourcing, developing and selling products that represent fantastic value for money, offer great quality, are innovative and sustainable. The commercial team are also responsible for trading ranges to optimise sales and profit and for developing strong relationships with our suppliers.

You will be joining a talented team of Buyers and 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.

What this role requires of you:

• Build strong relationships with my peers in my category. I work as a team to drive category performance and to be on the front foot for upcoming launches and events.
• Supporting the team to research trends that aid creating the product range. This involves competitive shopping, sales analysis and reviewing market data
• Know the product range inside out ensuring all range build documents / boards are kept upto date along with accurately creating new products on the system.
• Ensuring cost prices are accurate – this involves chasing prices from suppliers, landing prices from around the world, checking prices on our databases.
• Manage samples for the buyer which includes range sign offs, photo studio and mock shop making sure updates are given in the critical path meetings.
• Critical path planning for my department for all new range launches, marketing and promotional activity. I am responsible for ensuring products are photographed and packaging is developed in a timely and accurate manner, with strong attention to detail.
• Working with the Web team ensuring all content and images are obtained from our suppliers on time
• Build a good rapport with suppliers as they are dealt with on a day to day basis, supporting in supplier meetings which could include negotiating costs or feeding back on samples.
• Work with the ME Team (Visual Merchandising) to ensure that planograms are accurate, collating and sending information to marketing and ME so SELs and In Store POS can be generated to aid the customer navigating around our stores.
• Support the Buyer with promotions including buying special purchases. This can also involve buying seasonal promotional ranges for Seasonal Campaigns.

Essential skills:

• Creative and a real passion for homewares and the energy to constantly innovate and drive forward the product offer.
• Hardworking with a strong “can do” attitude.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Highly organised, with clear ability to be able to prioritise workload.
• Good attention to detail.
• Curiosity. Willing to listen and learn. Will ask for help when it’s needed.
• Proficient in excel, word and powerpoint.