Senior Merchandiser / Merchandiser

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 high turnover, multiproduct department. The Senior 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 Senior Merchandiser ensures that department margin targets are achieved and grows market share whilst maintaining our sustainability commitments.

A River Island Senior Merchandiser must support their MM/HOM and successfully drive the performance of the merchandising team. Acting as a role model for effective Merchandising skills, knowledge and behaviours, and playing an active role in supporting the delivery of potential cross divisional opportunities.

Key Accountabilities

• Develops the department and category strategy for a high turnover, 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.
• Adeptly 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.
• Exceptional 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 and nurtures strong cross divisional working relationships and external networks.
• Challenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working and undertakes company projects to support new initiatives.
• 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, up to and including Junior Merchandiser, 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 Senior Merchandiser, or established 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

• Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Skilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy-in.
• Strong people management and development skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and self-management.
• Highly organised, good prioritisation skills.
• Builds strong genuine relationships with peers, highly collaborative.
• Excellent coaching and mentoring 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.

Location and Benefits

This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Generous 50% staff discount and a bargain staff shop on site. Reduce 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. Support for employees' family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all employees. 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. 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

At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. 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.