About the Role The Retail Buyer will be responsible for selecting and purchasing furniture and related products for resale through the company's online retail platform. The successful candidate will undertake retail buying, supplier negotiations, product range planning, pricing analysis, inventory monitoring, purchasing budget management, purchasing logistics including shipping and documentation.

Working closely with management, suppliers, the inventory and fulfilment team, and the sales and marketing team, the Retail Buyer will ensure that purchasing decisions are informed by sales performance, market research, consumer preferences, product quality, supplier capacity and commercial requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Product sourcing and selection

- Research furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and potential suppliers to identify suitable products for resale.
- Evaluate furniture products based on quality, design, materials, functionality, durability, consumer demand and commercial viability.
- Select appropriate product styles, specifications, quantities and ranges in line with the company’s target market and merchandising strategy.
- Review product samples, specifications, supplier catalogues and pricing proposals before making purchasing decisions.

Supplier management and negotiations

- Identify, assess and establish relationships with new and existing furniture suppliers.
- Negotiate purchase prices, minimum order quantities, payment terms, delivery schedules, lead times, discounts, promotional support and other supply arrangements.
- Review supplier quotations and commercial proposals to obtain competitive purchasing terms and maintain appropriate profit margins.
- Monitor supplier performance in relation to product quality, order accuracy, delivery reliability and agreed trading conditions.
- Resolve purchasing, supply, quality and delivery issues in consultation with relevant suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Sales and market analysis

- Monitor sales reports, product performance, stock levels, customer purchasing patterns and market information to identify changes in demand.
- Research furniture industry developments, competitor product ranges, pricing strategies, consumer preferences and emerging design trends.
- Forecast demand for furniture and home furnishing products using historical sales data, seasonal trends, promotional activity and business growth plans.
- Recommend additions, changes or discontinuation of products based on sales performance, market demand and profitability.

Purchasing and inventory planning

- Develop and maintain purchasing plans in accordance with sales forecasts, seasonal requirements, available budgets and inventory objectives.




- Determine appropriate order quantities and purchasing schedules to maintain product availability while minimising excess and slow-moving stock.
- Coordinate purchasing requirements with warehouse, logistics and fulfilment personnel to align supplier deliveries with storage capacity and customer demand.
- Review stock turnover, product availability, supplier lead times and outstanding purchase orders to determine when replenishment is required.
- Recommend appropriate purchasing adjustments to address stock shortages, overstocking and changes in demand.

Pricing and profitability management

- Analyse supplier costs, freight expenses, competitor pricing and market conditions when determining recommended retail prices.
- Develop and implement product pricing recommendations that support sales targets, gross profit margins and the company's commercial objectives.
- Review product profitability and purchasing costs and recommend adjustments where necessary.
- Identify opportunities to negotiate lower costs, improve purchasing efficiency and increase product margins.
- Recommend discounting, clearance and promotional purchasing strategies for discontinued, excess or slow-moving inventory.

Merchandising and promotional planning

- Work with management and the sales and marketing team to plan product launches, seasonal collections, promotional campaigns and sales events.
- Recommend product assortments and promotional offers based on market research, customer preferences, inventory availability and purchasing budgets.
- Provide product specifications, supplier information, pricing details and product availability information required for online product listings and promotional activities.
- Coordinate purchasing decisions with the merchandising strategy to ensure the product range remains commercially relevant and competitive.

Product quality and supplier compliance

- Review product samples, specifications, materials, construction, packaging and other relevant quality requirements before approving purchases.
- Monitor product quality issues, customer returns and supplier-related complaints to identify recurring problems and areas for improvement.
- Work with suppliers and internal teams to address defective products, incorrect specifications, damaged deliveries and non-compliant goods.
- Ensure that purchasing decisions take account of applicable Australian product safety requirements and other relevant regulatory obligations.





Purchasing administration and reporting

- Prepare and maintain purchase orders, supplier records, product costings, purchasing schedules and procurement documentation.
- Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information within the company's inventory, enterprise resource planning or other relevant business systems.
- Prepare regular reports for management on inventory levels, stock availability, product profitability and buying outcomes
- Review purchasing performance against budgets, sales forecasts and agreed commercial targets.
- Provide recommendations to management regarding product range development, supplier selection, procurement risks and purchasing strategy.

Essential Skills and Experience The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

- At least three years of relevant work experience in a similar retail buying, merchandise buying or purchasing role within the furniture industry.
- Demonstrated experience in product sourcing, supplier selection, commercial negotiations and purchasing for resale.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret sales reports, forecast product demand and make evidence-based purchasing decisions.
- High attention to detail when reviewing product specifications, supplier quotations, pricing, purchase orders and inventory records.
- Strong negotiation, communication, problem-solving and organisational skills.
- The ability to manage competing priorities, respond to urgent purchasing issues and meet operational deadlines.
- Competency in spreadsheets and relevant purchasing, inventory management or enterprise resource planning systems.

Qualifications A qualification in business, retail management, merchandising, supply chain management or a related is essential.

Relevant qualifications and experience will be considered in assessing the suitability of applicants for the role.

Working Arrangements

Full-time employment of 38 hours per week.

Work location: the employer's workplace in Braeside, Victoria.

Occasional after-hours and weekend work may be required in urgent operational situations, including time-sensitive supplier matters, critical stock shortages and delivery issues.

What We Offer A full time position within a growing furniture retail business.

The opportunity to contribute to product selection, supplier strategy and purchasing decisions.

A commercially focused role with responsibility for product range and purchasing performance.

How to Apply

Applicants who meet the essential qualification, experience and skills requirements are invited to submit a current resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and suitability for the role.

Applications: [email protected]

Closing Date: 1-Dec-2026

Pay: $80,000.00 – $83,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Retail Buyer (Braeside)
🏢 B2C Furniture
📍 Braeside