Leicester
Home. There’s no place like it.And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And we’ve crafted a workplace that feels just as welcoming – where you can bring your ideas, be yourself, and feel right at home.With us, buying isn’t about chasing bargains and merchandising isn’t about pushing an endless parade of promotions. We do things differently. With us, it’s about creativity, instinct, and a real passion for home. We’re experts at understanding trends and performance - making quick decisions that keep our products and layouts perfectly timed, perfectly designed and perfectly marketed.Get stuck in from day one, and you’ll make a real difference. You’ll learn as you go, grow in confidence, and start taking small steps towards owning your own ranges. It’s lively, rewarding, and full of opportunities to learn and shine.You will be joining a talented team of Buyers, Merchandisers and Designers. The Commercial Team environment is fast-paced and energetic. We are positive, ambitious, forward-looking and data driven. We have to take calculated risks, to keep growing market share. The goal of Commercial is to drive sales and profit for Dunelm through sourcing the best quality products, at the best prices, from sustainable and ethical sources. The Commercial Team encompasses Buying, Merchandising, Sourcing, Technical and Design. You will be a key member of the Commercial Team, accountable for executing the trading and sourcing strategy for your product department. Develop Departmental Strategy:Use data and insights to enhance performance and customer experience.Analyse sales and profit, collaborate with the Merchandising team for historical performance, gap analysis, and competitive pricing.Work cross-functionally to identify opportunities for new products, quality improvements, sustainability, and visual merchandising.Sales and Profit Management:Daily management and review of the sales and profit budget.Propose actions to improve performance.Negotiate with suppliers on costs, terms, rebates, and promotional support to boost sales and profit.Range Building:Develop and manage the entire product range, including web exclusives.Research new products and trends, plan range and price architecture, and create exit plans.Supplier Management:Build long-term relationships with suppliers, including overseas visits.Understand supply chain and production processes for better negotiation and cost-effectiveness.Promotions and Merchandising:Manage promotions, negotiate deals with suppliers, and optimize sales and profit from promotional space.Work closely with Merchandising to optimise space, agree on rates of sale, and ensure timely delivery of new ranges.Critical Path Planning:Plan critical paths for new range launches, marketing, and promotions.Ensure accurate product photography, packaging development, and attention to detail.Collaboration with Web and Merchandising Teams:Work with the Web and Visual Merchandising teams to optimize in-store and online presentation.Lead a team, including junior buyers and Buyers Assistant, ensuring accurate product data.Quality and Ethical Standards:Follow sampling processes and support Quality team with factory audits.Resolve quality issues, improve supply base ethics, and ensure Dunelm quality standards are met.Category KPIs:Drive key performance indicators including sales, margin, availability, stock, mark down, contribution, market share, and returns rates.Are you passionate about homewares and ready to play a critical role in growing our sales and profit? We’re looking for someone who can shape our product offer with creativity and innovation. Here’s what we’re looking for in you:You’re a seasoned professional with solid experience in Buying.You have a genuine love for homewares and the energy to constantly innovate and push our product range forward.Your attention to detail is second to none.You communicate effortlessly and effectively.You’re a natural leader, both within our team and with external partners.You have a “get things done” mindset, knowing how to steer the ship while delivering value quickly.Your stakeholder communication skills are top-notch, especially with senior members of Dunelm and our suppliers – you embody our "stronger together" approach.You have a proven track record in successfully navigating complex negotiations.You’re highly organised and can prioritise your workload with ease.You’re curious, always willing to listen and learn, and you’re not afraid to ask for help when needed.D&I statementDunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.Our commitment to youAccessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you’re completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.Work your way We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.Look in our toy boxOf course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.Dazzling designAt Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We're continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We're hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands. Keep on growing We want you to get as much out of working with us as possible. That's why we'll do everything we can to engage you in the process of learning, and encourage you to explore new opportunities around your particular skills and interests. For you, this includes:Housewarming & Settling In where you can find out more about the wider business, our culture, behaviours, networks and wellbeing supportThrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your roleOur Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their careerOur INSPIRE Programme designed for our strong growth potential senior managers across the business to enhance their leadership capabilityOur EXPLORE Programme designed to prepare our next generation of Line ManagersPersonal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through ThriveApprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your roleCoaching and mentoring opportunities to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the nextFunctional academies that offer training to support you in the technical aspects of your roleSelf-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lieProgress conversations that reflect on how you're doing and define your focus areas for the coming monthsCareer conversations that explore what you want from your career, in light of your current capabilities, potential and future aspirationsMeet your teamMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"One of the best bits of my role is planning for up-coming launches. It's always challenging and always exciting." Lacey, MerchandiserMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"There's a fantastic culture here, which I find really empowering. If you have a bright idea, you can run with it." Gillian, Packaging ManagerMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"If you want to work from home in your PJs, you can. And if you want to bring your slippers to the office, that's fine too." Eleanor, Junior BuyerRewards you deserve Along with competitive salaries, we offer a range of other great benefits to recognise the unique contribution you bring.Salary Advance so you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned during the month, rather than having to wait until pay dayInstant discounts with a range of other companies to help you stretch your budgetPension contributions to help you save for your retirementShareSave scheme that enables you to save monthly and buy Dunelm shares at a discounted rate, building up your investments for a rainy dayContinuous training and coaching to ensure you feel confident in your current role and ready for any new challengesAccess to wellbeing support as and when you need it, including an online GP for you and your immediate familyColleague networks that give everyone a voice and create an environment where we all feel at homeOutstanding development opportunities and all the support you need to grow your career the way you want33 days annual holiday plus your birthday off to celebrate, and another day when you move home, so you can get settled inGenerous discounts on all our own products, in-store and online to help you make your house a homeCycle to work scheme to help you keep your fitness up and your travel costs downCharity day off (paid, of course) so you can volunteer for a charity that matters to youFree on-site parking (excluding London office) and good public transport linksHow did we get here?Today, Dunelm is a leader in the 11bn UK homewares market. With over 200 stores across the country and a successful online operation – dunelm.com – we offer over 60,000 products across a broad range of categories. But where did it all begin?1979Founder, Bill Adderley and his wife Jean take on a stall in Leicester Market selling curtains. Within a month, they make 600% profit.1984First bricks-and-mortar store founded in Churchgate, Leicester.1988With momentum growing, first flagship store opens in Leicester, East Street, offering warehouse facilities for expansion across the region.1991First superstore opens in Rotherham, offering premium brands such as Dorma, which the company goes on to acquire.1996Bill's son Will is appointed CEO of the company, following in his father's footsteps.1999Now a household name in the Midlands, Dunelm Mill opens a head office with warehouse facilities in Syston, Leicestershire.2001The acquisition of a small custom-made curtains business marks the start of Dunelm's made-to-measure service.2002A landmark year as Dunelm Mill opens its 50th store and a new central warehouse in Burton. The company goes on to open new stores at a rate of 10 each year.2005A fully shoppable website goes live, with a dedicated warehouse below our Radcliffe store2006Dunelm floated on the London Stock Exchange, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.2010In Liverpool, the company opens its 100th store, having celebrated its 30th birthday in 2009.2011To accommodate continued growth, Dunelm builds a new head office in Syston.2013Company rebrands from 'Dunelm Mill' to 'Dunelm' – reflecting what our customers have called us for years.2016Our family grew to include Worldstores.2018Nick Wilkinson joins the business as our new CEO.2021To accommodate our continued growth, Dunelm opens a fourth warehouse in Daventry.2022Launch of our ‘Conscious Choice’ collection – homeware that lasts longer and is made from more sustainable materials.2024First Central London store in Westfield.2024Expanded into the Republic of Ireland, acquiring Home Focus at Hickey’s.2025Opened our 200th store in Merthyr Tydfil.2025Clo Moriarty joins as CEO, taking the reins from Nick Wilkinson.How to applyHere you'll find all the information needed to make a great application Our application process You're ready to apply - here's some information about what to expect. Hints and tips Okay, so you've found the job you want. What can you do to give yourself the best chance of success? FAQs If you have some questions and queries about the process, we're here to answer those for you.BuyerExternal Advertising Start DatePosted:29 Jul 2026All LocationsHybrid (Leicester, United Kingdom)All Locations is a required fieldPositionBuying & Merchandising