Head of Buying - Dreams Ltd : Job Details

At Dreams, we know your bed is the best place in the whole world. But for the hours between precious sleep, we`d like to make work a special place to be too. We`re the UK`s most loved bed retailer, so it`s important our people feel the love as well. There`s over 250 of us at our affectionally named `Bedquarters` in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, where every dreamer makes a difference. We`re super passionate about our people-first culture, which means we like to keep things simple and celebrate every success, big or small! From a payday treats trolley to charity fundraisers and all-staff lunches, we know we do it best when we do it together. And together we`ve been making bedtimes better since 1985, with no signs of hitting the snooze button. We`re owned by the world`s largest bedding provider, Tempur Sealy, and have our very own Bed Factory right here in the UK. You`ll even get a guided tour when you join - that`s part of our mission to get you fully bed-ucated during your induction. With 208 stores nationwide, 6 central warehouses and 12 delivery centres, we sell 14,000 mattresses, bases and headboards every single week. Now that`s a lot of Zzzs. So if you`re bonkers about bed, silly for siestas and keen on your kip, we think Dreams could be the perfect place for you. Dreams. Love your job.

What you`ll be doing day-to-day

Strategy-Develop and implement buying strategies in line with organisational goals, strategies and market trends. -Identify opportunities for cost savings, product quality improvement. -Plan and deliver new product development showcase demonstration for retail and other business unit colleagues. Product and Vendor Management-Lead complex negotiations with suppliers to secure favourable terms and conditions. -Manage international and domestic sourcing strategies. -Work closely with Dreams Bed Factory on development and quality of products -Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliable and cost-effective sources of goods. -Review and analyse range plans to reflect changing trends, new product development and customer insight. -Work closely with the technical and ethical team to reduce the defective rate of products and compliance across the supply base Leadership-Working with the head of merchandising, manage and execute the Dreams product strategy which will deliver against budgeted sales, margin, net profit and working capital targets. -Provide strong leadership to the buying team, setting clear goals and expectations. -Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the buying department. -Collaborate with other departments to understand their purchasing needs and integrate buying strategies accordingly. -Ensure seamless communication and cooperation between the buying team and other business units. -Continuously optimize buying processes for efficiency and effectiveness. Finance-Seek new business opportunities to enhance EBITDA. -Identify and mitigate risks associated with the supply chain and purchasing activities. -Conduct thorough cost analyses to identify areas for improvement and implement cost-saving initiatives. -Management of department P+L, contracts and ad-hocs Compliance and Risk Management-Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and internal policies. -Ensure activities meet and comply with organisational and legal requirements for Health and Safety and general care. -Represent the organisation in the industry and report back industry findings This is the type of person we`re dreaming of: -Proven experience in a leadership role within the buying function (gained in a fast-paced environment, ideally within Retail.) -Exceptional negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to secure advantageous terms with suppliers. -Strategic ability to develop a business/product area. -International sourcing experience -Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills. -Excellent communication skills - Be able to present back high-level information to senior leaders -Strong financial acumen -In-depth knowledge of procurement regulations and industry best practices. -Ability and confidence to build collaborative relationships across all levels of the business and ability to demonstrate effective influencing skills. In your dream role, you`ll also receive:- Bonus: Our discretionary annual bonus scheme recognises the hard work and dedication of our superstar dreamers. - Discounts: Amazing staff discount on Dreams products, plus hundreds of brands including restaurants, holidays, and shopping. - Buy-in schemes: You`ll have the opportunity to buy extra holiday, private healthcare, or savings and loans. - Parking: We know it goes without saying, but our free onsite parking gives you peace of mind when you travel. - Wellbeing: We partner with the Retail Trust to offer a 24-hour helpline with a variety of support services, as well as hosting an out of hours GP service. - Electric Car Scheme - Our salary sacrifice eclectic car scheme is a budget friendly way to cruise around in style and most importantly, lower those emissions! - New to 2024 - enhanced maternity & paternity pay - On-site gym, Step into our newly refreshed, free on-site gym, where you`ll find everything you need to stay fit and energized. From cardio machines and versatile free weights to dynamic cable machines, resistance bands, and even boxing bags - we`ve got it all! - Hybrid working: Whether you`re an early bird or night owl, we trust you to work your hours responsibly to suit you!