Buyer, Tabletop

We have a very exciting opportunity to join the team as a Buyer overseeing our Tableware category. This is a fixed term, maternity cover, contract until March 2027. Every great meal begins with a beautiful setting. As our Tableware Buyer at John Lewis & Partners, you are not simply managing a category; you are the architect of the moments that bring people together. From a simple breakfast mug to a full tableware collection, you will curate a portfolio that defines modern hosting for our beloved British brand. This exciting, fast-paced role offers a unique platform to collaborate with world-class designers and prestigious brands, putting your personal stamp on products that surprise and delight our customers.

We are looking for a creative mind, someone who loves to collaborate. An expert negotiator with a passion for coaching and developing.

At a glance:

• Salary Range: £55,600.00 - 84,100.00 per annum
• Salary up to: £70,000 per annum skill and experience dependant
• Contract type: This is a fixed term contract until March 2027
• Hours and location of the role: 35 hours per week
• Your home location will be our London Pimlico Head Office
• This is a hybrid working role. The expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as team collaboration is critical in this role - core days will vary across teams

Key responsibilities:

• You will work at pace and agility within a collaborative environment with your Buying Manager, Head of Buying, Trade Planning, Trading & Product Operations team, Design and Product Technology.
• Externally you will hold a strong relationship with your suppliers, brands and external teams.
• You will be accountable for the commercial success of a product range as defined and agreed with your Buying Manager and the commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in-season trading.
• You will ensure you have up to date expert market knowledge for the category and can predict future market dynamics.
• You are accountable for building and maintaining strong supplier relationships ensuring that they adhere to the required standards and agreed terms.
• You will be accountable for making decisions on the product assortment: development, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins. These will be in line with category and customer strategy.
• In collaboration with your merchandising colleagues, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the suppliers.
• Deputise for your Buying Manager when appropriate.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture, providing leadership and guidance to the buying team.
• Support the professional development and growth of team members, ensuring a skilled and motivated workforce capable of achieving departmental objectives.
• Lead success-driven, cross-department working through effective stakeholder relationships.
• Responsible for coaching and developing your team of Buying Assistants.
• Responsible for all commercial negotiations inclusive of marketing funds (Media Sales team responsible for implementation & briefing (on-site + agencies)).
• Support the Buying Manager L5 in building a product strategy.
• Develop and buy market leading own brand and branded ranges, managing product lifecycle from launch to exit of product ranges.
• Collaborate with specialist functions to plan and develop ranges and a sourcing strategy for your product assortment, delivering category margin targets & ensuring your supply base complies with all CSR and legal requirements.
• Collaborate with Merchandiser to prepare and share Standardised Range Plan, in line with critical path, to hand over to the Central Operations Team.
• Alongside Merchandiser, sign off product ranges and branch grading with Buying Manager and Head of Buying when required, using reporting from Product Operations.
• Propose Balance To Achieve across commercial KPIs for the assortment each month in collaboration with the Merchandiser.
• Work with and comply with all critical path requirements as necessary.

Essential skills and/or experience you'll need:

• Expert negotiator.
• Experience at Buyer level.
• Own Brand development experience with Brand partnership experience.
• Far East sourcing experience.
• Creative mind, proven evidence of collaborative working.
• Experience of managing critical path.

Desirable skills and/or experience you may have:

• Tabletop and/or homeware experience.