Assistant Buyer – Merch Team (VIC)

Assistant Buyer – Based in Perth or Melbourne

We have an exciting and unique opportunity for you to progress your Buying career in Australia’s number one destination for those who love to cook and entertain as an Assistant Buyer based out of either of our Support Office Locations in Epping, Victoria or North Fremantle, WA.

As with any role in a rapidly growing business, we work hard, however, we are empowered and given ownership to create successful outcomes for the business and our customers.

Together, as a team, we understand how our actions can impact the performance of the business and our customers which is why we work with energy, we commit, we act and we deliver for and support each other.

About us

Kitchen Warehouse started from humble beginnings in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1986. Even with our national expansion and strong online presence, we remain very much a family business, born from a genuine passion for home cooking and great food.

Today, Kitchen Warehouse operates a national store network and a dominant ecommerce channel, offering 12,000+ kitchenware products, with a significant and growing portion of our range developed under our own In-House Brands.

Customers visit us because we offer:

• The best selection of brands
• A world-class retail and online experience
• Exceptional service, advice, and product knowledge

No matter how quickly we grow, we stay connected and guided by our core values:

• Authenticity – Genuine experience and service
• Quality – Standards that can be trusted
• Family – Putting our people first
• Customer – At the heart of everything we do

And we bring these behaviours to life every day:

• Take Ownership – Commit, act, and deliver
• Challenge Respectfully – Ask questions, share ideas, align as a team
• Fact-Based Conversations – Use data to drive clarity and improvement
• Frugality – Deliver more with less, valuing time and resources

If you want to be part of a thriving, passionate, and commercially minded team, Kitchen Warehouse could be the place to take your career to the next level.

About The role

We are looking for a passionate and driven Assistant Buyer to join our Merchandise team as we look to excite our customers with a curated range of the worlds best Kitchenware. 

You’ll  help by supporting the Buyer(s) and Category Manager(s) in maximising profit contribution through the execution of buying plans and strategies for designated department(s)/business areas, aligned with company objectives and strategic plans.  

This role is crucial to the buying process, demanding strong attention to detail, commercial acumen, excellent communication skills (internal and external), and advanced computer skills, particularly in Excel

The designated department(s) / business area will be assigned by the GM Merchandise and based on the experience and skills of the Assistant Buyer. 

Based on operational and team requirements, the Company, at its discretion,  may review and reassign departments / business areas of responsibility.

Key responsibilities:

Merchandise Range Management:

• In House Brand Critical path management – Ownership of Critical Path Pipeline Project and ensuring projects within the pipeline are assigned to accurate stakeholders, dates are assigned and stakeholders are adhering to the critical path timelines.
• Contribute to building and maintaining a commercially viable and customer-centric merchandise offer
• Analyse product performance, recommending and implementing changes to optimise unit volume and sales
• Understand consumer buying patterns and contribute to product range curation accordingly
• Assist in building product ranges that meet minimum GP% requirements
• Identify and interpret internal and international trends to inform product range development
• Collaborate with the Operations & Digital teams to optimise website experience and product presentation in stores
• Oversee the item addition process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide sales tracking and reporting as required
• Collaborate with other Buying teams to ensure range integrity
• Analyse and monitor the profitability and viability of ranging at SKU level
• Manage sample requests, follow-up, organization, and cataloging of gold seal samples as master references
• Sample testing before Gold Sample approval
• Coordinate Marketing sample requests for photography & magazines
• Follow up actions and escalate issues that may impact critical path or store execution. 

Sales & Profit Target Achievement:

• Conduct weekly sales analysis to monitor performance against budget and previous year
• Contribute to implementing strategies to increase sales/profit by managing price, availability, and visibility
• Assist in negotiating cost prices with vendors to drive product profitability
• Identify slow-selling items and contribute to action plans to maximize margin
• Maintain competitive pricing thought AI Market Lens tool and conduct regular competitor analysis and reviews
• Participate in post-seasonal reviews and presentations to the Senior Team

Marketing Support:

• Complete marketing briefs for new IHB ranges, (request information from the Buyer or Head of Sourcing)
• Follow up with Marketing/Buyer/Content teams to ensure artwork approvals are completed on time
• Check and confirm product approval emails for EDMs
• Check PDPs on new ranges once live on the website to ensure accuracy
• Approve artwork for sign-off (after checking with key stakeholders)
• Review & approve factory dielines for accuracy and VM/layout requirements
• Send artwork links to vendors
• Contribute to campaign exit briefs
• Confirm VM brief approval

Vendor Management:

• Attend vendor meetings and follow up on required actions (submissions, samples, etc.)
• Support onboarding new vendors and explore new opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors
• Work with finance to reconcile vendor on-costs monthly (if applicable)

Promotional Calendar Planning & Execution:

• Contribute to executing the promotional plan in line with the Master Monthly Calendar
• Assist in determining promotional pricing for relevant marketing events
• Support the execution of promotional offers across all channels
• Contribute to formulating sales forecasts for promoted/featured items
• Maintaining the Master Monthly and adhering to marketing deadlines

Analysis & Reporting:

• Run reports and provide analysis (e.g., sales comparisons, price point analysis) . 
• Use AI stools to support analysis,market research, range reviews and preparations of briefs/decks, improving speed and quality of output.
• Present findings and recommendations based on data analysis
• Contribute to range reviews of newness, range amendments, etc
• Pull together decks for summits (campaign planning)

Communication & Collaboration:

• Write buying communications and ensure all key stakeholders are notified
• Address store queries and take action
• Communicate changes on MM to Larissa (allowing time for changing briefs)
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders (Planning, Marketing, Digital, Finance  & Operations)
• Develop and execute win-win strategies with the vendor base to grow the business
• Conduct regular meetings with key vendors to plan promotional programs and drive continued business
• Create & maintain product knowledge sheets for store staff 

Customer Support:

• Communicate effectively with stores/customer service and respond to queries
• Provide product information and range advice
• Review customer feedback and take necessary actions
• Work with customer service to resolve customer or product issues
• Carry out Store & Competitor Visits

Shipping Support:

• IHB Inspection picture approvals, V-trust check with CM support
• Occasionally support shipping with shipping mark/barcode approvals

To succeed in the role you will have:

• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proven ability to establish, maintain, and manage professional internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Sharp quantitative and analytical skills with an eye for detail.
• Advanced computer skills, particularly in Excel.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to self-manage and meet deadlines.
• Skilled at multitasking and hands-on work.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and composure under pressure.
• Quick learner with a can-do attitude.
• Team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a Buying team role.

Why us?

We’re growing fast and have an exciting future ahead of us. If you’ve been holding out for a role where you can really make an impact and become part of something bigger, this is it. 

Ready to join Kitchen Warehouse and land your ultimate job?

Salary: Competitive package aligned to experience