Lead Buyer

At Loaf we make insanely comfy sofas, beds and homewares that help people lead more comfortable lives. Founded in 2008, Loaf has steadily grown each year to become one of the leading premium furniture and homeware brands in the UK. We now have 12 Shacks (stores to everyone else!), with more on the way. It's an exciting time to join an ambitious business.

The Lead Buyer is responsible for the assortment plan for a specific sub-category - developing and delivering commercially successful product ranges that meet the category proposition, deliver the Loaf DNA, reflect the brand and support Loaf’s overall product strategy and growth objectives.

Working closely with the Category Lead, the Lead Buyer executes the end-to-end buying cycle from concept through to launch. The role combines creative product development with strong commercial accountability and critical path management, ensuring design DNA, margin targets, quality standards and launch deadlines are consistently achieved.

The Lead Buyer works cross-functionally with Demand Planning, Supplier Management, Product Tech, Marketing, Front line and operational teams while building effective supplier partnerships to deliver exceptional products that delight our customers.

The Job

• Support the Category Lead in delivering the overall product proposition, assortment plan and product roadmap.

• Own defined product areas within the Assortment, managing both new development and continuity lines.

• Bring strong and deep market and category awareness and analysis from competitors, directional brands and the industry to all decision making and ideating.

• Develop range plans, ensuring clear price architecture and margin delivery.

• Lead product development from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with category proposition, Loaf DNA, brand positioning and customer expectations.

• Negotiate cost prices, minimum order quantities and lead times to achieve agreed margin targets.

• Manage supplier relationships, maintaining strong and collaborative partnerships and monitoring performance against KPIs.

• Manage and maintain the critical path to ensure product launches are delivered on time.

• Work closely with Demand Planning to review forecasts, intake planning and stock performance.

• Analyse sales performance, customer feedback and competitor activity and use this to inform trading and assortment planning decisions and future development.

• Identify risks and opportunities and propose appropriate commercial and development actions.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Web teams to ensure accurate product information and strong launch execution.

• Attend sealing sessions and range reviews, ensuring product quality and consistency.

• Provide guidance and support to more junior team members where appropriate.

We're looking for

• Previous experience in a Buyer or Senior Buyer role within a retail environment (ideally brand led with some “high-end” experience)

• Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating commercial terms.

• Demonstrated experience delivering against sales and margin targets.

• Experience managing product development cycles and critical paths from concept through to launch.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data and make informed, timely decisions combined with clear creative vision.

• Confident negotiator with the ability to influence and build effective supplier partnerships.

• Highly organised, able to prioritise and manage multiple workstreams.

• Clear and proactive communicator, comfortable working cross-functionally.

• Proficient in MS Office and Google Suite.

Attributes & Behaviours

• Passionate about product and customer experience.

• Commercially minded, solutions focused with a mastermind mentality.

• Accountable and dependable, following through on commitments and delivering the goods.

• Collaborative team player who builds positive working relationships and a desire to be “in it together”

• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.

Some of our benefits:

• 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 day each year for 3 years, plus 8 days for bank holidays

• Enhanced family leave policy

• Staff and friends and family discount scheme

• Healthcare cash plan

• EAP programme

• Shopping discounts

• Cycle to work scheme

• Half a day for Christmas shopping

• Life Assurance - 4 times annual salary

What's it like working at Loaf?

We are a forward-thinking, friendly bunch committed to building a fabulous company with brilliant people. The customer is at the heart of everything we do and we're always striving for better, more efficient ways to deliver to the highest standard.

As a business, we're working really hard to be inclusive. No matter what identity or background, we want everyone to feel welcome in a place where we can all be ourselves.

We'd love you to join us on our journey.