Buyer - Bed & Bath

**Buyer - Bed & Bath**:
**Job No.**: 538968

**Location**: Melbourne - CBD & Inner

**Job type**: Full-Time, Permanent

**A rare opportunity has arisen to join the Homewares department at David Jones as a Buyer to drive the Bed & Bath merchandise categories, comprising of well-known and adored international and local brands including Yves Delorme, Missoni, Marimekko, and Cotton House.**

**With a customer-first, innovative and commercial approach, the passionate and energetic Buyer will play a pivotal role in delivering the strategy for the future of this category within Homewares at David Jones.**

**The opportunity**

David Jones exists to inspire _like no other_ and as we continue to deliver on our ambitious transformation agenda in line with our Vision 2025+ strategy, we are committed to creating inspired careers so our people can **Thrive**.

The Buyer will focus on building strong and effective relationships with external brand partners and internal key stakeholders to define and drive the delivery of customer initiatives and commercial results that support the overarching David Jones strategy. The Buyer will leverage upon proven people management experience to lead and coach direct reports and will play a critical role in bringing to life the aspirations of the team.

With a hybrid mix of time in the office and from home, this role will suit a passionate customer-focused Buyer who thrives in a fast-paced and commercially evolving environment.

**What does the role involve?**
- Develop and nurture strong and trusting relationships with vendors and brand partners
- Drive merchandise assortment and space allocation decisions by brand by store that align with the David Jones Customer and department’s strategies to achieve category targets
- Drive performance of the brand portfolio in partnership with the Planner to achieve agreed stock health and commercial metrics
- Build a campaign and promotions calendar of activity that delivers an exceptional customer experience whilst meeting brand expectations and commercial aspirations
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the David Jones business to define and deliver initiatives that support the achievement of the David Jones and department’s strategies
- Champion the development and delivery of customer first innovation within Homewares, keeping abreast of industry trends and opportunities
- Lead and coach direct reports to achieve performance metrics whilst developing capabilities to support career succession and to ensure engagement

**What are we looking for?**
- Demonstrated experience in Buying, Category Management or related role, within similar categories, with a passion for International Brands and Luxury Retail
- A strong understanding of local and international Homewares and Retail trends
- Commercially minded, analytical and outcomes orientated, with a customer-first mindset
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead discussions and confidence working with senior stakeholders
- Excellent negotiation skills and proven experience in developing strong working relationships with suppliers
- Proven working capabilities across the entire MS Office suite, with advanced level skills in Excel and PowerPoint
- Critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
- Demonstrated ability working in fast paced environments and balancing competing priorities
- A passion for motivating team members with demonstrated mentoring capabilities

**Why work for us?**
- Unique opportunity to be part of a highly engaged, successful team, focused on the transformation of an iconic Australian brand
- A competitive remuneration package including performance-based incentives
- Hybrid working arrangements in office and from home that provide appropriate work/life balance
- Parental leave policy of 18-weeks paid leave for the primary carer, and 3-weeks paid leave for the supporting partner
- Generous employee discounts across David Jones and access to partner benefits
- An additional day of leave for your birthday along with time to support charitable work
- Opportunities to support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility program
- Be a member of a company committed to sustainable practices, driving change in the retail landscape
- Ongoing training and development to pursue individual ambitions

**About Us**

Since 1838, David Jones’ limitless quest for innovation and progress established the brand as Australia’s original influencer in fashion and lifestyle. Having revolutionised the way Australians shop, David Jones’ creation of a social centre inspired and created lasting memories for past, present and future generations. Today, our vision to inspire _Like No Other_ drives us to continue this legacy in our ambitious purpose to be the destination that inspires, with experiences and services _Like No Other_.

Our Thriving cultural pillars inspire our people to deliver on our vision and purpose. We are **Customer Obsessed**; curiou