At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to launch, spotting trends and selecting suppliers.
- Company: Join a growing, design-led furniture and homewares brand with big ambitions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and the chance to shape a brand's product story.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are valued; all backgrounds encouraged to apply.
- Why this job: Combine your creative flair with commercial ownership in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior buying experience in retail or similar, with a passion for homewares.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contemporary Furniture & Homewares £55,000- £60,000 DOE Reading area, Berkshire Hybrid
Love beautiful furniture, and want the power to decide what actually makes it onto the shelf? We're looking for an experienced Buying & Product Manager to take the reins and turn great ideas into commercial successes. We're working with a growing, design-led furniture and homewares brand with big ambitions and a reputation for contemporary style.
You'll lead the product team from concept to launch - spotting trends, selecting suppliers, and shaping ranges that are as commercially savvy as they are beautiful. It's a rare blend of creative and commercial: one day you're chasing the next big design direction, the next you're deep in the numbers making sure every product hits its margin.
What you'll be doing:
- Owning the product range end-to-end, from initial concept, through to supplier selection and product launch
- Spotting trends before they hit the mainstream, translating them into exclusive, design-led collections
- Planning the range at SKU level, working closely with the Merchandising team and to budget
- Working hand-in-hand with designers and suppliers, growing category margin and profitability
- Reviewing supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and responsible sourcing
- Travelling to trade shows, suppliers and factories across the UK, Europe & the Far East
- Owning the critical path, keeping the production on track to hit agreed key dates
- Working with Merchandising and Supply Chain to balance availability, lead times and stock efficiency
- Leading technical and quality sign-off, making sure products meet UK safety and compliance standards
- Digging into sales data to spot opportunities, strengths, and gaps across the range
- Mentoring and developing your team
What you'll bring:
- Demonstrated Buying experience at a senior level within a retailer, B2B, or similar environment
- A background within textiles, interiors, homewares or furniture, and a genuine passion for this product area
- A proven track record of delivering commercial and creative success
- Sharp negotiation skills and a nose for what's coming next in design
- Strong analytical skills, comfortable digging into the detail behind the numbers
- The energy and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly growing business
- A confident, collaborative communicator who builds great relationships across a business, both internally & externally
- Experience with ERP/PLM systems such as NetSuite is a bonus, but not essential
Why join:
This is a newly created role, which means you'll have real influence over how it's shaped - and the freedom to leave your mark on a growing brand's product story. If you want to combine creative flair with genuine commercial ownership, we'd love to hear from you.
Diversity & Inclusion: ILMJ values diversity, equality and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and identities.
Buying and Product Manager in Reading employer: I Love My Job Ltd Careers
Join a dynamic and innovative beauty business as a Product Compliance Manager, where you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring product excellence and regulatory adherence. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor a Product Compliance Administrator while shaping compliance processes that directly impact product success. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and inclusivity, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful contribution in the beauty industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying and Product Manager in Reading
✨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 I Love My Job Ltd Careers, 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 I Love My Job Ltd Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying and Product Manager in Reading
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 I Love My Job Ltd Careers, 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 I Love My Job Ltd Careers 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 I Love My Job Ltd Careers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at I Love My Job Ltd Careers
✨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!
