Head of Procurement

Head of Procurement

Department: Commercial

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

Description

Thsi role will lead and shape procurement at River Island, taking ownership of a broad non-merchandise and indirect spend base. The role will provide commercial rigour across supplier relationships and third-party spend, establish effective visibility, governance and procurement tools, and build the procurement capability as the function grows.

Responsibilities

• Develop a clear, practical procurement strategy for non-merchandise and indirect spend, covering third-party spend.
• Build a clear and reliable view of suppliers, contracts, spend and commercial ownership, creating visibility where it does not yet exist.
• Personally lead key supplier negotiations and identify opportunities to improve commercial terms, reduce unnecessary cost and increase value.
• Review and challenge existing supplier arrangements, particularly across professional services and marketing, while partnering with senior stakeholders across the business.
• Put in place effective procurement processes, governance, data, tools and supplier/contract management practices, including tracking renewals and commitments.
• Build procurement capability and credibility across the business, including developing the team as the function grows.

Skills

• Senior procurement experience gained in a retail or consumer-facing business, ideally of a similar scale to River Island.
• Strong experience in indirect / non-merchandise procurement, particularly across categories such as professional services and marketing.
• Demonstrable track record of personally leading supplier negotiations and delivering commercial savings and improved value.
• Ability to analyse spend and supplier data and create clarity and structure where information is initially limited.
• Strong commercial judgement, confident negotiation skills, and the credibility to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Experience building, resetting or significantly improving a procurement function rather than only operating within a mature function.
• A genuinely hands-on approach, with the ability to work close to detail while also thinking strategically.
• Ability to move at pace and adapt in a fast‑changing retail environment.

About Us

We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.

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 you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
• Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
• Flexible working, 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 & 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 for whatever the need!

Keeping You Safe

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We expect all employees to uphold our values and contribute to a positive working environment.

Our business is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. 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 or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.