Job Description
Company Description
Starting with a single red ‘shed’ over 40 years ago, today The Warehouse Group is home to some of Aotearoa’s iconic brands. The Warehouse is where Kiwis turn for trusted value and our Home division is where we aim to make their home & spaces better, every day.
We’re looking for an experienced Lead Buyer – Housewares for our Home division. This is your chance to shape the future of how our category, products and brands show up for our customers and influence products found in homes across Aotearoa - driving performance, creativity, and value at scale.
Job Description
As Lead Buyer - Housewares, this is a key role in an important division for our business, blending hands-on category buying with people leadership (circa 2 - 3 direct reports). You’ll drive the Housewares buying strategy, delivering compelling, trend-led ranges that meet the needs of our customer base, while developing talent and capability within your team.
Bring together commercial acumen, customer insight, and data-driven decision-making to drive trend, influence product selection, pricing, and supplier partnerships, ensuring we consistently deliver quality and value at the right price.
Range Development: Lead buying for Housewares (Kitchen & Dining, Home Décor, and Laundry categories), curating range and collections that are driving trend, seasonal demands, meeting customers wants and financial targets.
Category Strategy: Shape and execute the buying strategy, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and customer expectations.
Trading & Commercial Performance: Maximise sales, margin, and stock efficiencies by responding to market trends and trading conditions with agility.
Supplier Management: Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, negotiating competitive terms, and securing the best product offerings.
Customer & Market Insights: Use data, trend analysis, and customer feedback to inform buying decisions and stay ahead of competitors.
Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing: Work towards responsible and sustainable sourcing strategies, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and business sustainability goals.
Qualifications
What we’re looking for?
Significant buying experience and proven track record (8+ years/lead or senior level), ideally within Housewares, Home, or a related category
Genuinely passionate about Home products/categories – you’ll have your finger on the pulse and always geared for better
Big box retailer experience – bring in and share the best of your career learnings!
Strong customer centric, data-driven, commercial mindset and financial acumen - ability to balance creativity and financial performance.
Confident people leader and operator with genuine passion for developing/mentoring talent and fostering a positive culture
Comfortable and confidence operating in a fast-paced retail environment.
Additional Information
Come work with us as we look to build exceptional retail brands that customers love and our teams take pride in!
We offer a range of benefits that work for you and your career which include:
Team member discounts across our brands
Paid birthday day off for permanent team members
Free parking, onsite gym and café at our Northcote support office
We value collaboration & flexibility – embracing hybrid working, up to 2 days working from home
26 weeks paid parental leave for permanent team members
A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities
If you’re passionate about Home, love building ranges customers can’t live without, and thrive on leading people and performance, we’d love to hear from you!
Starting with a single red ‘shed’ over 40 years ago, today The Warehouse Group is home to some of Aotearoa’s iconic brands. The Warehouse is where Kiwis turn for trusted value and our Home division is where we aim to make their home & spaces better, every day.
We’re looking for an experienced Lead Buyer – Housewares for our Home division. This is your chance to shape the future of how our category, products and brands show up for our customers and influence products found in homes across Aotearoa - driving performance, creativity, and value at scale.
Job Description
As Lead Buyer - Housewares, this is a key role in an important division for our business, blending hands-on category buying with people leadership (circa 2 - 3 direct reports). You’ll drive the Housewares buying strategy, delivering compelling, trend-led ranges that meet the needs of our customer base, while developing talent and capability within your team.
Bring together commercial acumen, customer insight, and data-driven decision-making to drive trend, influence product selection, pricing, and supplier partnerships, ensuring we consistently deliver quality and value at the right price.
Range Development: Lead buying for Housewares (Kitchen & Dining, Home Décor, and Laundry categories), curating range and collections that are driving trend, seasonal demands, meeting customers wants and financial targets.
Category Strategy: Shape and execute the buying strategy, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and customer expectations.
Trading & Commercial Performance: Maximise sales, margin, and stock efficiencies by responding to market trends and trading conditions with agility.
Supplier Management: Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, negotiating competitive terms, and securing the best product offerings.
Customer & Market Insights: Use data, trend analysis, and customer feedback to inform buying decisions and stay ahead of competitors.
Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing: Work towards responsible and sustainable sourcing strategies, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and business sustainability goals.
Qualifications
What we’re looking for?
Significant buying experience and proven track record (8+ years/lead or senior level), ideally within Housewares, Home, or a related category
Genuinely passionate about Home products/categories – you’ll have your finger on the pulse and always geared for better
Big box retailer experience – bring in and share the best of your career learnings!
Strong customer centric, data-driven, commercial mindset and financial acumen - ability to balance creativity and financial performance.
Confident people leader and operator with genuine passion for developing/mentoring talent and fostering a positive culture
Comfortable and confidence operating in a fast-paced retail environment.
Additional Information
Come work with us as we look to build exceptional retail brands that customers love and our teams take pride in!
We offer a range of benefits that work for you and your career which include:
Team member discounts across our brands
Paid birthday day off for permanent team members
Free parking, onsite gym and café at our Northcote support office
We value collaboration & flexibility – embracing hybrid working, up to 2 days working from home
26 weeks paid parental leave for permanent team members
A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities
If you’re passionate about Home, love building ranges customers can’t live without, and thrive on leading people and performance, we’d love to hear from you!
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Lead Buyer - Housewares position is now open for candidates interested in the Operations Executive Jobs sector. This role in Auckland offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Operations Executive Jobs is a plus.
