At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buying team by managing orders, samples, and critical paths for product success.
- Company: Join River Island, a vibrant brand known for its unique designs and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 50% staff discount, flexible working, and a free onsite gym.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes fashion trends and drives sales.
- Qualifications: Retail experience is a plus, but a strong work ethic and eagerness to learn are essential.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
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 Buyers Admin Assistant supports this through the smooth running of the critical path through the whole Buying cycle, from placing purchase orders, creating and maintaining the critical path, attending fit sessions and maintaining the sample library.
Responsibilities
- Efficient and accurate order and invoice management, including maintenance of supplier base details and fabric orders
- Effective sample management, including labelling, working with suppliers, maintaining the development tracker and ensuring the correct samples are available to support meetings
- Supporting fit meetings with relevant paperwork and rails
- Co‑ordinating labelling and ticketing to a high standard
- Monitoring and reviewing the Critical Path, ensuring dates and deliveries are on track and highlighting risks to the Assistant Buyer/Buyer
- Supporting weekly trading reviews, updating and providing information to the Buying team as needed
- Providing knowledge of competitors, key market trends, customers and channels, and producing comparative shop reports with recommendations to positively impact performance
- Ensuring duties are managed responsibly in line with sustainability practices and ethical trading, so as not to have any detrimental impact throughout the supply chain
- Working cross‑functionally with the Core Merchandising team and internal teams (Ecommerce, Wholesale, Visual Merchandising) to provide full and correct collections for meetings
Requirements
- Previous experience in Retail or as a Buyers Admin Assistant is desirable but not essential; a track record that demonstrates a good work ethic is a must.
- No specific qualifications are required; the ability to learn quickly and apply that learning is essential.
Competencies
- Good verbal and numerical reasoning skills
- Intermediate MS Office skills
- Computer literate, able to learn new systems quickly
- Highly organised and pro‑active, with good time management skills
- Collaborative, with strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Good commercial and market awareness
- Disciplined and conscientious, results‑oriented
- Resilient and adaptable with the ability to multitask
- Curious, continuous learning mindset
- Ability to take initiative
- A keen interest in Product and the River Island brand is a must
Benefits
- Generous 50% staff discount on products and a bargain staff shop on site
- Free onsite gym and subsidised restaurant & café to meet your needs
- Flexible working options
- Paid holiday: 23 days, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with an option to purchase additional holiday twice a year
- Support with upskilling through on‑the‑job training and qualifications
- Succession planning for career progression
- Well‑being solutions and support via the Retail Trust
- Support for various family setups, including maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment
- Give‑as‑you‑earn scheme with a 'Giver Island' day each year and matched funding
Buyers Admin Assistant in City of Westminster employer: River Island
River Island is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills. With generous benefits such as a 50% staff discount, flexible working options, and comprehensive support for career progression, River Island prioritises the well-being and professional development of its team members. Located in a dynamic retail environment, the Buyers Admin Assistant role offers a unique opportunity to engage with innovative designs and contribute to the company's success while enjoying a supportive atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyers Admin Assistant in City of Westminster
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like River Island, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like River Island!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyers Admin Assistant in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at River Island, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at River Island and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show River Island that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at River Island
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
