Buyer
| Posting date: | 12 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 March 2025 |
| Location: | HP10 9YU |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Dreams Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | Dreams_9529-8492 |
Summary
At Dreams, we know your bed is the best place in the whole world. But for the hours between precious sleep, we`d like to make work a special place to be too. We`re the UK`s most loved bed retailer, so it`s important our people feel the love as well. There`s over 250 of us at our affectionally named `Bedquarters` in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, where every dreamer makes a difference.
We`re super passionate about our people-first culture, which means we like to keep things simple and celebrate every success, big or small! From a payday treats trolley to charity fundraisers and all-staff lunches, we know we do it best when we do it together.
And together we`ve been making bedtimes better since 1985, with no signs of hitting the snooze button. We`re owned by the world`s largest bedding provider, Tempur Sealy, and have our very own Bed Factory right here in the UK. You`ll even get a guided tour when you join and that`s part of our mission to get you fully bed-ucated during your induction.
With over 200 stores nationwide, 6 central warehouses and 12 delivery centres, we sell 14,000 mattresses, bases and headboards every single week. Now that`s a lot of Zzzs.
So if you`re bonkers about bed, silly for siestas and keen on your kip, we think Dreams could be the perfect place for you.
Dreams. Love your job.
We`re looking for a new Buyer to join our Commercial team based in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire. In this role, you will have responsibility for selecting, purchasing and developing new products for all channels. This includes analysing market trends, negotiating with suppliers, support stock management and working closely with the merchandising team on store range plans.
Ready to skip the snooze button and get stuck in? Here`s a taste of what you`ll be doing day-to-day
Kpi`s:
o Work toward and support the category and business deliver sales, stock and margin targets
o Develop and source a high quality, innovative and inspirational products that surprise and delight customers whilst delivering against key KPI`s
o Manage buying process including working to stock and margin targets, critical path management ensuring stock is ordered and delivered on time
o Develop supplier contracts with YOY improvements to trading terms.
o Define supplier strategy & key supplier negotiations to improve Dreams net terms; intake cost price, payment days, rebate, OTIF and returns agreements.
Reporting:
o Use competitor and customer insight to shape and define future product strategies
o Review and analyse range plans to reflect changing trends, new product development and customer insight.
o Has full understanding of own area performance and how it fits in context with the Dreams business
Core duties:
o Helps develop product and packaging innovation, ensure compliance with channel requirements.
o Work and support international and domestic sourcing strategies buying the right products from the right suppliers.
o Accountable for the product set-up process to ensure accuracy in all Dreams Systems and protect launch dates
o Works with Quality team to redesign products with unacceptable return rates, poor customer reviews and/or unsatisfactory quality
o Supports the Commercial Income process, working with Finance to ensure accruals are booked into accounts only on receipt and validation of the supplier confirmations/agreements and all payments are made by the suppler on time; manages the process to ensure all signed terms agreements, accruals and invoice back-ups are sent to finance team
o Negotiate and secure exclusive products and promotions to differentiate the Dreams offer from that of our core competition.
Management duties:
o Determines the critical path and timelines to achieve the strategy and launch dates
o Develop and support direct reports through regular one to one and formal appraisal processes.
o Ensure every Dreams supplier operates under a formal Terms Document outlining key trading terms
o Ensure activities meet and comply with organisational and legal requirements for Health and Safety and general care.
o Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and internal policies.
o Speaks with authority, using ideas and strategies that are based on fact and commercial acumen
o Seeks Buying Director sign-off for all new suppliers, and leads the team to ensure the correct set-up process is followed
o Reacts positively to change, understanding plans are based on the best estimate at that time
Daily duties:
o Vendor management
o Critical path management
o Support direct reports in delivering against NPD plan
o Ensures all information and prices are accurate on all systems
o Works in partnership with suppliers to resolve supply problems fairly to land range on time, seeking to protect sales and profit if they have been adversely impacted
o Works closely with merchandiser tp develop the sourcing strategy to maximise sales opportunities and net cash profit potential whilst minimising markdown spend across retail, web, and telesales channels.
Monthly duties:
o Keeps up-to-date with external impacts by reading financial and trade press and competitor reviews; assimilates the significance to the Category
o Regular negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions.
Who Is the customer? How do you support?
o Deliver products that meets our customer`s needs and builds brand value across all sales channels. Embracing innovation and necessary change to drive the range forward, minimising unnecessary changes to range
o Ensure Dreams maintains exclusive products and promotions to differentiate the Dreams offer from that of our core competition.
o Collaborates with suppliers and marketing to deliver customer-focused events in line with the trade planning calendar
Cross functional relationships:
o Work cross category and cross functionally
o Support Retail and Marketing teams with complementary third-party promotions and colleague training programs
Stakeholder management:
o Work closely with merchandising team on a rolling range review calendar and trade plan.
o Work closely with Dreams Quality function to always support delivery of high quality ethically sourced product
o Collaborate with and support other business functions to help delivery of product NPD, communicating clearly at all times
This is the type of person we`re dreaming of:
Experience:
o Proven Buying experience gained in a fast-paced environment, ideally within Retail.
o Strong negotiator, with proven track record of reaching successful outcomes and goals.
o Some domestic and international product development experience.
o Ability to work cross functionally.
o Strong financial Acumen
o Ability to understand and interpret market trends.
People-first:
o Ability to coach, mentor and develop individuals
Communicator:
o Strong presentation skills.
o Confidence to build relationships across all levels of the business and ability to demonstrate effective influencing skills.
Motivated:
o Self-motivated.
Team player:
o Be able to deputise for Senior Buyer when called on.
o Be a `go to` member of the team for product queries.
In your dream role, you`ll also receive:
- Bonus: Our discretionary annual bonus scheme recognises the hard work and dedication of our superstar dreamers.
- Discounts: Amazing staff discount on Dreams products, plus hundreds of brands including restaurants, holidays, and shopping.
- Buy-in schemes: You`ll have the opportunity to buy extra holiday, private healthcare, or savings and loans.
- Parking: We know it goes without saying, but our free onsite parking gives you peace of mind when you travel.
- Wellbeing: We partner with the Retail Trust to offer a 24-hour helpline with a variety of support services, as well as hosting an out of hours GP service.
- Electric Car Scheme - Our salary sacrifice eclectic car scheme is a budget friendly way to cruise around in style and most importantly, lower those emissions!
- New to 2024 - enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- On-site gym, Step into our newly refreshed, free on-site gym, where you`ll find everything you need to stay fit and energized. From cardio machines and versatile free weights to dynamic cable machines, resistance bands, and even boxing bags, we`ve got it all!
- Hybrid working: Whether you`re an early bird or night owl, we trust you to work your hours responsibly to suit you!