Your new role
We’re home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company - three distinctive brands with a shared mission to bring great design and comfort into every home, affordably, responsibly, and sustainably.
At DFS Group, everyone plays a part. Whether you’re supporting our brands or serving our customers, you’re helping shape the future of furniture retail. Each brand has its own identity and creative direction, but we’re united by a culture that puts people and purpose at the heart of everything we do.
About the role..
The buyer will work with the group senior buyers and group head of buying & brands and their team to deliver their area of accountability and the product development and execution. Use market and trend analysis data to drive the required levels of profitability and growth for the group.
Day to day..
Manage smaller supplier’s / support with larger supplier’s product development & supplier relations, from design & innovation through to negotiation and sign off.
Manage and differentiate product ranges across two group brands, ensuring clear identity, positioning, and price architecture for each.
Contribute actively to the range planning process, maintaining structured pricing architecture/style wheel/ brand hierarchy within the proposition to ensure good, better and best mixes. Including range reviews and sign off presentations.
Primary contact for price negotiation working closely with selected suppliers to achieve margin targets. Senior Buyer to sign off.
Review market/ competitor observations to range a clear product strategy with recommendations to the Senior Buyer
Build and maintain strong relationships with retail teams to ensure customer feedback is built into the product range plan
Responsibility for the product set up packs (cost sheets/ price approvals, buyers packs, orders etc,), ensuring the data is handed over on time being the primary day to day contact for suppliers.
Manage the execution of store display process and ensure the new store opening programme is effectively managed
Shared responsibility for quality ensuring testing & FR compliance, working closely with the QA team.
Ensure all areas of product development are accurate and all deadlines are kept and manage the critical path
Drive sale campaign opportunities working with the Marketing/ Web team creating strong cross functional relationships.
Work with Senior Buyer to deliver the promotional and pricing plan to ensure the expected sales, margin and product performance is achieved.
Manage the maintenance of product information, photography and sample management.
Work with the senior buyer to ensure all product launches are in line with the critical path and product data is submitted accurately.
Conduct regular onsite visits to suppliers and exhibition events as needed to optimise relationships and support delivery of the buying strategy.
Be able to support on both MTO & stock strategies to deliver the required level of growth.
Support Senior Buyer with managing the Junior Buyer & Buying Assistant to ensure all areas of administration/product development are accurate and all deadlines are kept
What will help you succeed:
- Strong commercial understanding and negotiation skills
Strong relationship management with strong communication and influencing skills
Analytical approach with strong numeric skills
Understanding of business and operational processes
Experience of building relationships at all levels internally and externally
Strong organisational skills
Flexibility to travel for business needs throughout the UK with possible Far East & European travel.
Resilient mindset to work effectively within a changing, challenging context.
Strong presentational skills.
Ideal Experience:
Buying experience within retail: Furniture industry experience beneficial
Experience negotiating with UK and international suppliers (e.g. Europe, China, Vietnam).
Advanced ability in using excel/work/powerpoint or google equivalents
Analytical approach with strong numerical ability
Degree (optional)
What's in it for you?..
- Sharesave
- Annual Bonus Scheme: Contribute to our success and get rewarded for it
- Growth and Training: Learn new skills and develop your career with us
- Leave: Enjoy a great holiday allowance, with the option to buy 5 extra days. Take advantage of our enhanced leave for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, and Adoption, plus a paid volunteering day each year
- Discounts: Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family - and savings at big brands like Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and IKEA
- Wellbeing Perks: Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships
- Pension and Savings: Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes
- Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay