Buying Assistant (Parental Cover - 12 months)

Koala

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Koala is a global furniture brand dedicated to creating innovative and comfortable products. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we are committed to revolutionizing furniture for future generations through design, innovation, and sustainability. We are seeking a Product Assistant (Maternity Cover) to join our Upholstery team for a 12-month fixed-term contract. This role will support the core upholstery pipeline, ensuring smooth project execution and successful product launches for our global customer base.

Requirements

• Degree qualified in product management, business, or a relevant field.
• 1-2 years of experience in product development, manufacturing, or production within the furniture industry.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to understand the big picture and prioritize competing considerations.
• High-level attention to detail.
• Passion for learning about sourcing products that people love to use.
• Drive and energy to operate in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Excel with strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Ability to hit the ground running and adapt quickly to existing systems and processes.
• Strong organizational skills with a proven track record of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the Product Manager in managing the product development timeline, ensuring communication across all teams for on-time and on-brief product delivery.
• Coordinate all aspects of product samples, manage sample budgets, arrange supplier payments, and coordinate sample shipping.
• Assist in preparing presentation decks for new product sign-offs before production.
• Collaborate with the Product Manager to provide information for product cost negotiations and ongoing cost management of in-market products.
• Provide data to guide the Upholstery HUB in commercial decisions to maximize product profitability.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure all commercial agreements, trading terms, rebates, and payment days are documented and signed.
• Support the management of relationships with existing and new licensing and certification partners.
• Undertake additional tasks and projects as needed to support broader business goals.

Benefits

• Hybrid working model (~3 days in office, rest remote/home)
• Generous time off (volunteer, parental, Koala life leave)
• Fully stocked kitchen with healthy local produce, including breakfast, salad bar, and kombucha on tap.
• Monthly BBQs.
• Pet-friendly office.
• Free Koala products and discounted rates for friends and family.
• Employee Assistance Program for financial, work, relationship, family, or wellbeing support (unlimited sessions).
• Career acceleration through a Learning Management platform, individual and team growth budgets, and dedicated growth days.
• Opportunities for community and connection through B Corp certification, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, SoftLanding membership, and 1% initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level