Homeware Buyers Assistant

Posted on 01/09/2020

Job purpose:
This position supports the Lead Homeware Buyer by providing a support function pre- and post-fair to assist with ensuring that Weylandts continues to offer a competitive and unique product range. Along with the admin and organisational tasks there is a focus on supplier relationships as well as ensuring good communication about new products to the various players in the HW department especially the Lead Buyer. There will be responsibility for certain Purchasing Coordinator functions in conjunction with the above to ensure that from range selection product is landed correctly at the right time and right price.


Main accountabilities:

  • Prepare range review for discussion along with HW coordinator
  • Post fair: Organise quotations and make sure Purchasing Coordinators (PCs) are adequately briefed.
  • Follow up on quotes from suppliers to ensure these are ready for buyer review to meet deadlines
  • Brief suppliers on required changes to product as per buyer’s directive
  • Negotiate better pricing on behalf of buyer where necessary
  • Ensure packaging is correctly specified as per buyer’s directive
  • Request better product images from suppliers for company use
  • Ensure range pictoral library is updated
  • Red flag urgent orders with shipping
  • Manage supplier relationships and handle day to day correspondence
  • Manage sampling requests /deliveries
  • Check pre-shipment images with regards to product, tagging, pricing, packaging and sign-off on these if repeat lines and alert buyer to any issues /deviations
  • Provide landed costs to buyer to check margins
  • Brief in price changes to inventory
  • Review product release for approval prior to sending out
  • Manage status changes of product as per buyer’s directive
  • Check costings on portal for both new products/reorders i.e. ensure accuracy and completeness for buyer to work on


Persian specification: Requirements

  • Three to five years' experience in retail buying, preferably in homeware.
  • A Grade12/Matric certificate (Essential).
  • Relevant Diploma or Degree in Administration, Fashion, Marketing, Design, BSC or BComm would be a definite advantage.
  • Purchasing/stock systems experience - experience with Syspro advantageous
  • MS Office competency (especially Excel)
  • Passion about the Weylandts brand
  • Good organizational ability
  • Strong numeracy skills
  • Knowledge of import/ export procedures

Behavourial competencies:
This position requires a person, who is disciplined, organized, pays attention to detail, is thorough and can take responsibility for work generated. Excellent communication skills (telephonic/written) are required to deal with suppliers, retail outlets and internal departments.


The job holder must demonstrate an ability to show initiative and must be able to work unsupervised (although direction will be provided).

Country South Africa

City Cape Town

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