Homeware Buyer Up to £45,000 per annum plus performance bonus and fantastic benefits Take a look at our products Learn about us Our Homeware Buyer Our Homeware Buyer will play a pivotal role in shaping and curating our lifestyle categories across ecommerce and in our retail stores. Joining at a crucial stage of The Newt’s growth journey, the Homeware Buyer will be responsible for sourcing best in class products from trusted suppliers, negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and overseeing product development. They will enhance our gifting and homeware categories ensuring alignment with our brand identity, driving commercial success, and range growth. The successful applicant will have a genuine passion for lifestyle products, can spot emerging trends, has deep knowledge of the homeware market and truly cares about making the shopping experience the best it can possibly be, understanding the balance of commercial success with maintaining The Newt’s brand integrity. Key Responsibilities Curating a range of beautiful, high quality lifestyle products which speak to the pillars of our Estate and meet the needs of our guests. Developing iconic Newt branded lifestyle products, following a robust NPD process including QC, testing and compliance. Driving turnover across our channels in the lifestyle categories, ensuring products launch on time and hit intake margin targets. Leading the sourcing strategy, finding the best suppliers, providing them with seasonal forecasts, and negotiating better prices, preferential terms and excellent quality. Responsible for category budgets and option counts; monitoring & maintaining price point hierarchy as well as driving margin improvement. Demanding exceptional quality at every stage, from setting supplier expectations, inspections, to delivery to The Newt, and then continuing spot checks through the product lifecycle to both ecommerce retail stores. Working with the merchandising department to analyse sales across all channels, managing inventory and stock ordering, paying close attention to continuity lines, best sellers, discontinued lines and potential gaps. Creating a strategy to minimise waste, monitoring slow sellers and implementing mark down strategy to clear stock to planned budget. Consideration of packaging quality, durability, price and aesthetics as a key part of the product offer. Understanding the market and new product innovations with regular comp shopping and attending tradeshows to keep up to date with trends and market insights. Working with the marketing team on go to market plans to build excitement around products, as well as offering ideas, product information and promotions to deliver the sales plan. Providing product guidance and training for our hospitality & shop staff, and customer services teams. Skills and Experience: At least 2 years proven experience at buyer level or above, working for elevated luxury brands across lifestyle categories such as food, interiors, homeware and fashion. A creative flair for spotting trends and building ranges with consideration of exceptional presentation in store and online. Demonstrable ability to drive commercial performance while upholding brand values and delivering a considered and elevated product proposition. An entrepreneurial mindset, reacting in season to capitalise on best sellers and market trends. Advanced Excel skills and a strong grasp of reporting and data analysis, equipped to handle all aspects of category management and range building. Excellent negotiation skills, a track record of negotiating commercial agreements with prospective suppliers whilst forging lasting relationships. Confident presentation style, comfortable presenting, with the ability to creatively pitch and sell in new product launches; proficient computing skills particularly with all MS office tools including PowerPoint. Commercial with a results-oriented mindset with a proven ability to develop and execute sales strategies and good understanding of the market, the competition, product value, pricing strategy and margins. Passionate with a genuine and personal interest in product and driven by desire for The Newt to be best in class with consideration for quality and provenance Highly organised and rigorous with the ability to manage multiple projects at pace without compromising on detail.