At a Glance
- Tasks: Support sourcing and product development for bespoke products at Soho Home.
- Company: Join a creative team at Soho Home, part of the renowned Soho House.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, global perks, and 50% off Soho Friends Membership.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, innovative setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic environment where your ideas can shape unique products.
- Qualifications: 3 years in product development and buying, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
The Role...
Reporting to the Buying and Product Development Manager, the Junior Buyer and Product Developer will play an integral supporting role in the sourcing and product development strategy for Soho Home, bringing bespoke products to the retail marketplace.
As the Junior Buyer and Product Developer you will support the team to optimize the performance of the buying and product development functions, to execute design briefs to a high standard whilst maximizing profitability.
With the guidance of the Buying and Product Development Manager, you will support the sourcing strategy to ensure the department is operating in line with the objectives of the business, to add value and mitigate supply chain risk.
As Junior Buyer and Product Developer, you will manage a Buying and Product Development Assistant to ensure all administrative and operational duties are delivered on time and with the upmost accuracy.
Main Duties...
- Oversee the development critical path with the support of the Buying and Product Development Manager, ensuring key calendar milestones are always met
- With the support of a Buying and Product Development Assistant, manage all administrative tasks along the critical path and product lifecycle, from brief to first production and commercial trading
- Update and maintain the seasonal development tracker, ensuring all key dates along the development calendar are input
- Where necessary, manage a Buying and Product Development Assistant, setting a good example at all times
- Collaborate closely with the Soho Home Design team to ensure briefs are executed to the highest standard, whilst meeting commercial expectations of price and margin
- Issue seasonal briefs for the department to the identified suppliers, ensuring specifications, price targets and key deadlines are clearly communicated
- Attend weekly design and production meetings and final sample inspections, recording comments and preparing feedback for suppliers as required
- Communicate comments and/or product approvals to suppliers with the upmost attention to detail
- Work closely with the Technical team to ensure products meet the standard for quality, and all legal and safety requirements, for all relevant markets
- Assist the Buying and Product Development Manager with meeting preparations and with ad-hoc department tasks
- Lead the department trade preparation, presenting in the absence of the Manager
- Drive the commercial analysis of the department in collaboration with the Merchandising team to ensure brand sales opportunities are maximised
- Compile competitive analysis reports regularly for the department, scoping UK and US competitors
- Support the departments sub-category ranging for both the long and short term, with the UK, EU and US markets in mind
- Demonstrate strong awareness of competitors and external industry trends, completing competitor analysis reports when required
- Assist in all preparations required for prototype and finalisation meetings - report preparations, Best/Worst sales boards, and physical set up of the sample space/showcase.
Support Assistants while overseeing all logistical elements to ensure samples are on time and in place as required.
- Oversee the briefing of bespoke packaging where required
- Support with the successful onboarding of new suppliers as and when required
- With the support of the Assistant, proactively manage customer service queries to drive the best resolution
- Attend trade fairs and travel to factories when required
What We Are Looking For
- A minimum of 3 years product development and commercial buying experience
- An excellent communicator both written and verbally, with strong interpersonal skills
- Experience of working with a varied supply base, including domestic, European and Far East suppliers
- Naturally collaborative
- A creative problem-solver, naturally curious with the confidence to challenge current practices to instigate positive change
- Organisational skills, with an emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy
- Analytical and results orientated
- Always upholds a professional demeanour
- Enjoys working in a changing environment, able to demonstrate agility when responding to industry trends and evolving demands as Soho Home expands into new markets
- An avid multi-tasker, able to manage multiple systems, within a fast-paced office environment
- Excellent time management skills
- A self-motivator who is enthusiastic and keen to progress and develop
- Passionate about Soho House and Soho Home, ensuring the member and customer is at the heart of all key decision making
- Ability to keep calm under pressure, always retaining a friendly and positive can-do attitude
Benefits...
Soho House offers competitive compensation packages that feature global benefits and perks.
Whether you're seeking entry-level employment or a new opportunity to expand your profession, we offer training to develop the technical and managerial skills necessary to grow your career.
- Soho Friends Membership
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Junior Buyer and Product Developer - Upholstery, Soho Home in London employer: sohohouseco
Soho House is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. As a Regional Director, you will benefit from extensive growth opportunities within a dynamic environment, while enjoying the unique advantage of working in iconic locations across the UK and Europe, all dedicated to delivering outstanding guest experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer and Product Developer - Upholstery, Soho Home in London
✨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 sohohouseco, 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 sohohouseco!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer and Product Developer - Upholstery, Soho Home in London
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 sohohouseco, 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 sohohouseco 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 sohohouseco that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at sohohouseco
✨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!
