Homewares Product Development Coordinator

Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.

We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too precious or perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 13 stores across the UK – an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-order service and a thriving website.

We are looking for a Part Time Homewares Product Development Coordinator (30 hours per week) to co-ordinate all aspects of the development of new homeware ranges, to ensure the products can be launched on time and to agreed costs.

ABOUT US

At OKA, we are passionate about creating beautifully curated spaces, and that passion is shared by every member of our team. From our stores to our support functions, we believe in collaboration, attention to detail, and delivering excellence in everything we do.

Reporting to the Homewares Product Design & Development Manager, the Homewares Product Development Coordinator will play a key role within the Product Development team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Liaises with agreed suppliers to obtain all necessary information and details on samples, dealing with commercial and information changes to the product, working closely and proactively alongside the technical & design teams.

Range planning section

• Is responsible for the day to day administration of the OKA sampling & product development process
• Researches market data to provide the PD Manager with information on market trends & competitors
• Assist the PD Manager in the administration of a timely, accurate and appropriately detailed handover of product information to the Photography, Design Studio Merchandising and Web teams

Intake management

• Set up & send out sample & first stock orders ensuring the products are made in a timely manner, first stock orders need to be signed off against the gold seal
• Liaises with suppliers, QA & QC throughout the critical path to resolve QC and production issues quickly and cost effectively minimising the impact on availability
• Administrative support particularly for checking the accuracy of catalogue and web set up in line with the Design Studio critical path

Allocation & Replenishment

• Provides support regarding product information/product alternatives to the Customer Service and Channel Merchandising teams

Trading

• Inputs and maintains all sample and new stock details on OKA systems databases.
• Maintains the sample stock, ensuring it is correctly labelled and stored at all time

Other

• Projects as agreed to support the profitable growth of the OKA business
• Covers the administrative & sample element of the Product development mangers role in the event of absence

Collaboration

• Supports business partners across numerous teams by providing hand over information in a format the is easily understood
• Works well as part of a team

ABOUT YOU

• Good communication and time management skills
• Good knowledge of Homewares would be an advantage; however, in-house training will be provided
• Good interpersonal/communication skills
• Team player
• Good negotiation skills
• Proven track record at Administrator level in comparable roll as a minimum
• Numerate
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Detailed and accurate

This role offers the opportunity to support product development within a dynamic retail environment.

OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE

• 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), plus Length of Service increases
• Day off for your birthday
• Health Cash Plan
• Generous staff discount: 50% following probation
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme
• Discounts on 60+ UK retailers via My OKA benefits platform
• Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.

If successful you will become part of OKA, a fast-paced and dynamic business. If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and details of your current salary, salary expectations, notice period and right to work information via the link provided.