At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and manage supplier relationships at River Island.
- Company: Join a beloved brand with a bright future and a diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% staff discount, flexible working, and a free onsite gym.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Shape procurement processes and make a real impact in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Qualifications: Senior procurement experience in retail, strong negotiation skills, and strategic thinking.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
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.
Responsiblities
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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Head of Procurement employer: River Island
At River Island, we pride ourselves on being a much-loved brand with a vibrant and inclusive work culture in Leeds Thorpe Park. Our Islanders enjoy generous benefits such as a 50% staff discount, a focus on career progression, and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. With unique initiatives like Kindness Cupboards and the Giver Island scheme, we ensure our team members feel valued and empowered to thrive both at work and in their personal lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like River Island.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to River Island:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to River Island. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like River Island.
How to prepare for a job interview at River Island
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at River Island!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at River Island. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into River Island's culture.
