Merchandiser, 9-12 Month FTC

The Merchandising team at River Island plays a key role in realising the commercial opportunities created by our unique product across all our channels. This is achieved by developing and implementing the multichannel planning and trading strategy for a multiproduct department. The Merchandiser has a direct impact on the product offer by channel to fulfil all customer requirements and deliver their department strategy, sales and profit plans. Working closely with their buying counterparts, the Merchandiser ensures that department margin targets are achieved and grows market share whilst maintaining our sustainability commitments. A River Island Merchandiser must successfully drive the performance of the merchandising team.

Key Accountabilities

• Develops the department and category strategy for a multiproduct area.
• Grows sales and profit through successful planning and trading across all channels.
• Through analysis of current and past performance alongside market data, formulates all opportunities to drive the business across all channels.
• Creates a forward strategy with the Buyer to deliver company brand briefs and operating plans.
• Proposes adjustments to immediate and longer-term financial plans, OTB and on order to optimise margin and sales, driving the trading performance of the department by channel.
• Delivers an option framework to ensure a balanced range by channel.
• Controls stocks within planned levels and works within agreed markdown targets.
• Accountable for commitment review by size, maximising sales through availability.
• Plans sourcing strategies that reduce costs and grow margin with consideration of all external factors, incorporating an understanding of sustainable practices in sourcing and production ensuring the buying team are supported in this to deliver on our sustainability commitments.
• Strong management of the department critical path with the buyer to ensure timely delivery of product.
• Plans and delivers the distribution strategy of stock to all channels.
• Identifies all wholesale opportunities and looks for all opportunities to drive performance.
• Using all available sources including regular store visits, industry news, sales and margin history, comp shops, identifies risks and opportunities, proposing actions to positively impact performance.
• Builds cross divisional working relationships and external networks to develop broad perspective and identify future opportunities.
• Challenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working.
• Alongside the Buyer, proposes initiatives and acts on opportunities to drive sales and margin, including new product trial strategies.
• Grows talent within the merchandising team and identifies readiness for next role, providing learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring in a timely way to enable everyone to realise their individual potential.
• Manages a team effectively, setting the direction and objectives to be achieved for your department, ensuring the team is aligned and working towards those objectives, and driving for a high-performance team.
• Provides timely feedback and support to enable each person to work to the best of their abilities, and opportunities for learning and stretch as appropriate within the team.

Key experience required

• Previous experience as a Merchandiser, or established Junior Merchandiser.
• Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable.
• Track record of delivering and exceeding sales and margin targets is essential.
• Track record of identifying and delivering on new product opportunities.
• Track record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement.

Job role competencies

• Very strong verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
• Very strong communication skills.
• Very strong analytical skills.
• Very strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Skilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy-in.
• Very strong people management, coaching, mentoring and development skills.
• Very strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management.
• Highly organised, good prioritisation skills.
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented.
• Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change.
• Change advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset.
• Forward-thinking, innovative.
• Passion for the RI brand and customer.

What we can offer you

• Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site.
• Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
• A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill your needs, and various social events to socialise throughout the year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment support for all family setups.
• Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
• Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
• Support with upskilling through on-the-job training and qualifications.
• A succession plan if you want to progress.
• A generous bonus scheme and private pension plan.
• The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
• An allowance supporting your commute to work.
• 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year.

Equal Opportunity and Flexible Working Statement

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.