Buyer / Product Developer – Homeware
Location: Cape Town
Brand: Poetry (Part of the Cape Union Mart Group)

Are you a trend-savvy, design-led homeware buyer with a passion for beautiful, meaningful spaces? Poetry is looking for a creative, commercially driven Buyer/Product Developer to bring inspiring and curated homeware collections to life.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape our Homeware category—from sourcing distinctive products to driving innovation across furniture, wellness, décor, gifting and more. If you're fuelled by creativity, grounded in business thinking, and eager to bring design-rich ideas to our customer’s homes, we’d love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Conceptualise and develop trend-forward, commercial homeware ranges that resonate with the Poetry customer.
• Source and procure unique products and brands—both locally and internationally—aligned to our brand DNA.
• Manage product lifecycle from idea to market, including critical path, cost negotiation, supplier onboarding and range execution.
• Collaborate with design, marketing, e-commerce, and merchandising teams to bring ranges to life across all channels.
• Present seasonal range reviews and marketing briefs with strong storytelling and insight.
• Build and nurture strategic supplier relationships and negotiate effectively for quality, exclusivity and margin.
• Be a category expert across Furniture, Gifting, Décor, and Bath & Body/Wellness, constantly identifying new opportunities.
• Project manage category performance—leveraging trends, data, and feedback to improve and evolve the range.

What You Bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and a Grade 12 certificate.
• Minimum 5 years of buying experience in a homeware category (furniture, décor, wellness or gifting).
• Proven experience with trend research, product development, and supplier management.
• Deep understanding of the full retail buying cycle and commercial drivers behind product success.
• Excellent design sensibility and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation ability, and decision-making skills.
• A proactive mindset with a collaborative, can-do attitude.
• Existing supplier networks (local and international) are a strong advantage.

Why Join Us:

At Poetry, we curate products that tell a story. You’ll join a creative, fast-paced retail team that celebrates originality and craftsmanship. With the backing of the Cape Union Mart Group, you’ll have the tools, support, and autonomy to make your mark.

We are committed to transformation and diversity in the workplace. Appointments will be made in line with our Employment Equity Plan.

Ready to shape the homes of tomorrow with the Poetry brand? Apply now and bring your creativity to life in our Homeware department.