At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for Linens, Home Accessories & Dine, shaping a market-leading offering.
- Company: Fenwick, a family-owned department store with a rich heritage since 1882.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, birthday off, up to 25% discount, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for innovation and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team and make a real impact in the home and lifestyle market.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Home & Dine Buying, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for design.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you a driven and experienced Buyer with a passion for fashion, looking for an opportunity to truly shape a market-leading Linens, Home Accessories & Dine offering? If so, this could be the perfect role for you. We offer hybrid working between your home and our offices on Wigmore Street, Central London, offering a collaborative and innovative working space. We are also open to applicants based in Newcastle Upon Tyne to be based in our functional hub in our Newcastle Flagship store.
When you join Fenwick, you’ll receive:
- 33 days annual leave (inclusive of 8 bank holidays) and a buying holiday benefits scheme in which you are eligible to buy a further 5 days across the year.
- Your birthday off as an additional day annual leave – this can be taken any day within your birth month.
- Up to 25% discount in all Fenwick stores and fenwick.co.uk.
- WeCare - 24/7 GP, wellbeing advice & support service.
- Hybrid Working (Typically every Thursday and Friday working from home).
About the Role
We’re looking for an experienced Buyer to lead the strategy and execution of Fenwick’s Linens, Home Accessories & Dine categories across all stores and online. This role is central to driving sales, profitability and market share, delivering a curated, design-led assortment that reflects the Fenwick brand while meeting the needs of our customers.
You’ll own the end-to-end buying process, from range planning and supplier negotiations through to trading, launches and seasonal strategies. With a strong commercial eye, you’ll identify emerging home and lifestyle trends, source new and distinctive brands, optimise margins and stock performance, and build trusted, long-term partnerships with key suppliers. Data-led insight and intuition will support decision-making as you analyse performance and identify opportunities for growth.
Working closely with Retail, Digital, Marketing and support teams, you’ll help shape a customer-first Home & Dine offer that inspires customers and drives engagement both in-store and online. This role suits a buyer with relevant category experience, strong influencing skills and a passion for design, storytelling and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
What we are looking for in a candidate...
- 3+ years’ experience in Home & Dine Buying
- A sharp eye for product and emerging trends
- Proven commercial acumen and negotiation expertise
- Strong supplier relationships and the confidence to influence at all levels
- A data-driven yet intuitive approach to decision-making
- Experience in developing product strategies and building business cases
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- A passion for innovation, storytelling, and customer experience
About Fenwick
Fenwick is rich with heritage and history and have been style pioneers since 1882 when our first store opened. We know luxury and are proud to remain the largest independent, family-owned group of department stores within the UK. We are on an exciting journey to exceed our customers' expectations and we are always on the lookout for new talent to join us.
Our collaborative spirit unites a workforce of over 2,000 individuals across our stores, as well as in our support functions, encompassing Digital, Buying & Merchandising, IT, Finance, People, Customer Service teams, and our cherished restaurants and distribution centres.
In 2023 we launched our ‘Quiet No More’ campaign, enhancing our presence on the UK high street as well as our eCommerce website going from strength to strength. Together, we form the beating heart of Fenwick, driving forward our vision for excellence and innovation. Join us as we pave the way toward an even brighter tomorrow, where tradition meets transformation!
Buyer - Home in Slough employer: Fenwick
Fenwick is an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Central London or at our flagship store in Newcastle Upon Tyne. With generous benefits including 33 days of annual leave, a unique buying holiday scheme, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we empower our team to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to be part of a family-owned business that champions creativity and customer experience, while shaping the future of home and dine retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Home in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show us you’re passionate about Fenwick’s offerings and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience and how it aligns with the Buyer role. We want to hear your story and what makes you the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Home in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in Home & Dine buying, and don’t forget to showcase your commercial acumen and negotiation skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're passionate about this role. Share your love for design and storytelling, and how you’ve successfully influenced supplier relationships in the past. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since we’re all about data-driven decisions, make sure to mention any experience you have with analysing performance and identifying growth opportunities. We want to know how you use data to shape your buying strategies!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Fenwick family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
As a Buyer for Home, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of the products you'll be dealing with. Research the latest trends in home accessories and linens, and be prepared to discuss how these trends can influence your buying decisions. Show them you’re not just passionate about fashion but also knowledgeable about what sells.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is key in this role, come ready with examples of past negotiations you've successfully navigated. Be specific about the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved. This will showcase your commercial acumen and ability to build strong supplier relationships.
✨Showcase Your Data-Driven Approach
Fenwick values a data-led insight approach, so be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform your buying strategies in the past. Bring examples of how you've analysed performance metrics to identify growth opportunities, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Customer Focus
This role requires working closely with various teams, so highlight your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've worked with marketing or digital teams to enhance customer experiences, and express your passion for creating a customer-first approach in your buying strategy.
