Junior Buyer

The Buying team at River Island plays a key role in realising the commercial opportunities created by our unique designs across all of our channels. This is achieved through effective range planning, awareness of key commercial data and customer trends, excellent supplier relations and internal networks, and execution of the Buying Strategy to deliver sales and profit plans.

The Junior Buyer agrees department strategy, and sources and builds a commercial product range aligned to deliver key targets. Through working collaboratively with Core Merchandising, Design and Technical teams, reviewing trading performance, and understanding customers, the Junior Buyer identifies key actions to achieve department margin targets and grow market share whilst maintaining our sustainability commitments.

• Deliver a highly commercial and well-balanced range for all channels through working closely with Design and Merchandising, nurturing supplier relationships and implementing the department strategy.
• Review and take action to ensure Critical Path and development process is running smoothly to deliver product to customers at the right time.
• Through a solid and current understanding of our customers, the industry, and our competitors, propose initiatives and opportunities across all channels to drive sales and margin, including new product trials.
• Manage trading performance of their department/area alongside their Merchandising counterpart, ensuring they identify and react in a timely way to both risks and opportunities.
• Seek out opportunities for margin growth through understanding and exploring our processes, products components, sourcing methods and supplier base.
• Through strong supplier relationships, negotiate best deals and delivery to critical path.
• Strong and clear management of the Critical Path and development process to ensure the timely delivery of product, building strong partnerships with Merchandising, Design and Technical counterparts.
• Incorporate an understanding of sustainable practices in sourcing, development and production to contribute to delivery of our sustainability commitments.
• Ensure that we uphold ethical trading standards, with a strong focus on partnering with and supporting suppliers to identify and address any risks to the relationship.
• Incorporate an understanding of technical, fabric and product compliance requirements, ensuring these are all delivered at the best possible cost within the critical path.
• Plan sourcing strategy for own areas, either independently or with Senior Buyers support where relevant, that reduce costs and grows margin with consideration of all external factors.
• Support Technical team in fit sessions to ensure all quality and fit of all product is to River Island standards.
• Support all wholesale opportunities to drive performance.
• Communicate with cross divisional counterparts regarding supplier mix, cloth and trade info to gain insight to drive opportunities.
• Build cross divisional working relationships and external networks.
• Support the team in the implementation of all company working practices and processes.
• Manage the development of the Junior members of the Buying team, supports in setting the direction and objectives to be achieved on the department.

• At least 18 months experience as an Assistant Buyer; Womenswear experience at any Retailer is essential.
• Previous experience of buying, or have brought in within an area/department.
• Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable.
• Track record of delivering sales and margin targets is essential.
• A supplier and industry network is essential.
• Track record of identifying and delivering on new product opportunities.
• Track record of either directly managing others, or supporting and mentoring other team members to create high levels of engagement and performance.

• Strong commercial and analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
• Very good negotiation skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly organised and proactive, good prioritisation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness.
• Good management and development skills.
• Builds and nurtures relationships with peers, highly collaborative.
• Curious, continuous learning mindset.
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented.
• Highly resilient and adaptable with the ability to multitask.
• Forward-thinking, innovative.
• Coaching, mentoring mindset.
• Ability to present own views and assert own views.
• Good presentation skills.
• Passion for the RI brand and customer.

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 role is based at our Head Office in West London.

• 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. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment support.
• 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 generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
• The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
• 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year.

At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Our Island 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 and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.