At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead buying and merchandising for mattresses and furniture, driving sales and product strategy.
- Company: Bensons for Beds, dedicated to providing the best night's sleep.
- Benefits: Up to 50% employee discount, competitive pension, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning, development, and career progression.
- Why this job: Shape product ranges and make a real impact in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years of buying experience in furniture or related categories.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Bensons for Beds we believe everyone deserves the best night’s sleep. As a Senior Buyer within our Mattresses & Softs / Beds & Furniture category, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping our product range, driving commercial performance and delivering exceptional value and quality for our customers.
Your Purpose
- Lead the end-to-end buying and Merchandising process for assigned categories, owning commercial strategy, supplier relationships and range development to ensure a compelling, on-trend and profitable offer that meets customer needs and supports business targets.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop and execute category strategies, annual plans and promotional calendars to achieve sales, margin and stock targets.
- Source and manage supplier relationships, negotiating commercial terms, lead times and service levels to optimise cost, quality and availability.
- Own range architecture and lifecycle decisions including NPD, assortments, pack sizes and SKU rationalisation.
- Work closely with merchandising, product development, marketing and operations to deliver successful product launches and store / online activations.
- Analyse sales, margin and inventory data to make informed buying decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with trading policies, quality standards and regulatory requirements across product ranges.
- Mentor and support junior buying team members, sharing commercial best practice and helping build capability.
What You Bring to the Sleepover
Essential:
- Proven buying and merchandising experience within furniture, mattresses, soft furnishings or related retail categories (typically 3–5 years+).
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering sales and margin improvements.
- Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships.
- Analytical mindset with confidence using sales, margin and inventory reporting tools to drive decisions.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and deliver cross-functional projects on time.
- Good IT skills, including Excel and ERP/PIM systems.
Desirable:
- Experience of product development and specification within the beds, mattresses or softs sector.
- Knowledge of sustainability standards and initiatives relevant to furniture and soft homewares.
- Understanding of online retail dynamics and marketplace channels.
Here’s What You Get:
- Employee discount scheme for Bensons products (up to 50% off)
- Competitive pension scheme – provided by Legal & General
- Life Assurance and Income Protection
- Medicash – cashback options for health and wellbeing services
- Access to Retail Trust services for support and guidance
- Annual leave buy & sell scheme and enhanced family leave
- Learning and development programmes and clear progression pathways
- Hybrid working to support work-life balance (*qualifying periods and terms apply)
Senior Buyer - Mattresses & Softs or Beds & Furniture in Accrington employer: Bensons For Beds
At Bensons for Beds, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and well-being of our employees. Located in Huntingdon, our work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for learning and development, including graduate training and clear progression pathways. With competitive benefits such as a generous employee discount scheme, a robust pension plan, and hybrid working options, we ensure that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to our mission of delivering the best night's sleep.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Mattresses & Softs or Beds & Furniture in Accrington
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Bensons For Beds, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Bensons For Beds!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Mattresses & Softs or Beds & Furniture in Accrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Bensons For Beds, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Bensons For Beds and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Bensons For Beds that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bensons For Beds
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
