At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Product Manager in delivering successful Womenswear product ranges and insights.
- Company: Join River Island, a vibrant fashion retailer with a focus on inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 50% staff discount, free gym access, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a positive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fashion and customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in Buying or Merchandising, strong communication skills, and a passion for fashion.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Support the Product Manager in delivering the Womenswear Strategic Partnerships strategy, ensuring product ranges are commercially successful, customer-focused and aligned to both River Island and partner objectives.
Department: Buying
Location: Head Office, Chelsea House
Key Responsibilities
- Product & Trading
- Support the planning, delivery and performance of Womenswear product ranges.
- Analyse sales, customer and market trends to identify risks and opportunities.
- Share trading insights and product recommendations with key stakeholders.
- Support the delivery of sales, profit and growth targets.
- Product Management
- Manage product critical paths and key deadlines.
- Coordinate product selections, range reviews and seasonal milestones.
- Ensure product information is accurate and communicated effectively across teams.
- Support the successful delivery of products from planning through to launch.
- Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with Buying, Merchandising, Account Management and Strategic Partnerships teams.
- Support product presentations and range reviews with internal and external stakeholders.
- Act as a key point of contact for product-related queries.
- Ensure feedback and insights are shared to support future product decisions.
- Team Development
- Support and coach the Product Admin Assistant in their day-to-day responsibilities.
- Encourage collaboration and continuous improvement across the team.
- Contribute to a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in Buying, Product, Merchandising or a similar commercial role.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of product performance.
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Confident using data and insight to support decision-making.
- Passion for fashion, product and customer trends.
What Success Looks Like
- Commercially successful product ranges.
- Strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
- Effective management of product timelines and delivery.
- Delivery against sales, profit and growth targets.
- Positive support and development of junior team members.
Benefits
- Generous 50% staff discount and a staff shop on site.
- Discounts, benefits, financial advice, and wellbeing solutions through the Retail Trust.
- Free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant and café, and social events.
- Family support including maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment support.
- Flexible working, including payday and summer early finish Fridays.
- Give as you earn scheme and annual ‘Giver Island’ day with matched funding.
- Support with upskilling through on-the-job training and qualifications, and a succession plan.
- Generous bonus scheme and private pension plan.
- 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday twice a year.
Keeping You Safe
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We fulfill our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage belief in British values – including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. To find out more, please visit 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.
Strategic Partnerships Assistant Buyer in London employer: River Island
River Island is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and inclusivity at its Head Office in Chelsea House. With generous benefits such as a 50% staff discount, flexible working options, and comprehensive support for employee development, we prioritise the growth and well-being of our team members. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the success of our Womenswear product ranges and where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Assistant Buyer in London
✨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 Strategic Partnerships Assistant Buyer in London
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!
