Buyer and Product Development Manager

Based at our stunning Support Office in Swindon, Wiltshire, with hybrid working, we are looking for an energised, style-engaged and process-driven Buyer and Product Development Manager to join our family. In this fast paced and exciting role you will manage specific categories through the critical path from brief to launch, ensuring deadlines are met and communicated throughout the business and with external stakeholders.

Working closely with the Lead Buyer on concepting and developing new ranges and product categories, you'll bring your skill and experience within homewares buying to manage product improvements in terms of margin, quality and supplier performance. You'll influence the department strategy in areas of margin, pricing and range building through careful analysis of sales, competition, and strategic sourcing/resourcing, monitoring trade and making recommendations to optimise sales and stock.

You will present to our Head of Buying regularly, and there will be opportunities to travel for manufacturing and inspiration.

Supporting the development of the vision of Neptune, in this role you will focus on:

· Building commercial and compelling ranges through careful analysis of sales, customer and competition, ensuring balance in options, pricing and supplier strategy

· Working with design and technology to create comprehensive briefs for Neptune product and selecting appropriate off-shelf (exclusive) ranges to compliment our offer

· Managing, building and maintaining supplier relationships, reviewing products and samples and engaging new supplier routes, including travelling internationally

· Strategic management of margin through sourcing, negotiations and cost engineering and contributing to margin erosion / profit initiatives to support quality, reducing returns and managing markdown

· Leading on your own categories whilst also supporting the wider product team on the critical path and liaising with internal teams to meet deadlines

Bringing an exceptional eye for detail and a strong visual perception, you'll be extremely organised and methodical in your approach, able to build excellent relationships and have excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills. This isn't just a career, it's a calling - as you'll be at the heart of bringing an exciting idea to life. You'll bring solid experience of homewares buying, working with off-shore manufacturing and both 'from-design' and 'off-shelf' product.

At Neptune, our passion for great design and an appreciation of our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our highly visionary Product Development team help define, drive and perfect new and existing products, which range from beautiful furniture right through to our stunning selection of home accessories.

Pulled from the full job description

• Cycle to work scheme


• Employee discount


• Enhanced maternity leave


• Enhanced paternity leave


• Gym membership


• Paid volunteer time


• Referral programme, · Competitive salary


· Generous Holiday Allowance

· Life Assurance

· Company sick pay

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Cycle to work scheme

· Gym membership

· Generous Neptune new item and outlet discounts

· Perkbox: Wellbeing Hub and Retail Discounts Portal

· Your birthday day off

· Two paid volunteer days a year

· Day off if you become a Grandparent

· A week off to celebrate a life event

· Refer a friend scheme

· Long service holiday allowance increase

· Training Workshops

Across all locations, we stay united by our company values: Do The Right Thing, Do It Together, Aim High and Keep It Real.

We're an equal opportunities employer; our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams, with all colleagues and applicants afforded the same opportunities. We encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work, in an environment that actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and where everyone's voices are heard.

Our Story

Founded in 1996 by friends John Sims-Hilditch and Giles Redman, Neptune design and make pieces for your whole home. Recognised for our exacting standards, design-led aesthetic and expert craftsmanship, we're perhaps most known for kitchens - with heirloom-worthy dressers not far behind. Neptune's trademark 'look' is British: refined

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday